u/EloquentReader

You're worthy. You're loved. You're enough.

You should love yourself like you love everyone else around you.

In the course of a week, my sister and I were both criticized by our mom for essentially practicing self-love and self-care.

The first incident was related to skincare; both of us refused to switch from our current brands and routines to the products an aunt gave her that she doesn't want to use because she 'doesn't care about fancy products'.

The second incident was when she sent us both the same video about body image disorders. My sister and I both exercise, since both of us sustained an injury that resulted in more than a handful of inconveniences and complications {we're both stronger now}.

I laughed off the first incident. The second one stung a little, because I no longer have body image problems. I love myself. My body is my home and I've learned to take care of me. Throughout my teens, she did her absolute best to try to destroy my self-esteem and often shamed me for acne, weight gain, etc.

I realized that she believes:

• Self-love - the belief that you're worthy of being healthy, whole and cared for is vanity.

• Self-care - the actions you take in an attempt to become healthy, whole and cared for is idolizing yourself.

• Having needs, setting boundaries and building self-esteem is an affront to others {primarily herself}.

I wanted to remind you that you're worthy of all the good things in life. You're worthy of every minute you spend believing in yourself and doing everything within your power to become the amazing person you were created to be.

Don't allow her thoughts and opinions to shape and shake your self-esteem. Don't make her lies your truth. Don't diminish your worth because she always comes up lacking in her own eyes.

Showing up for yourself better equips you to show up for the ones you love and those who depend on you. Caring for and loving yourself isn't a moral sin.

Always remember that you're worthy, loved and enough. 🤍

A gentle reminder that you're not for everyone and not everyone will like you. Don't allow the opinions of others to shape and shake your confidence.

You'll be fine, even if they don't like you.

Move through life with purpose, your purpose.

Leave people and places better than you found them.

The weight of their opinions isn't yours to carry either way. 🤍

You're worthy. You're loved. You're enough.

I'm grateful that I can hear rain falling on the roof in the early morning hours, the sound of our dogs running down the hall, the voices of my loved ones and the privilege of enjoying the gift of music {some songs really do bring those who are close to our hearts but so far away that much closer in a nostalgic moment}.

This morning I wrote a post on my own profile with wishes of blessings for anyone who stumbles upon my profile today. I didn't expect anyone to react to it, but I was surprised when a kind stranger wished my own well wishes for me too.

I was reminded of how grateful I am for the kindness of strangers. A smile from someone who may very well have a broken heart. A compliment from someone who probably never receives compliments from anyone else. A hug from someone who likely needs an affectionate embrace so much more while nobody else seems to notice.

I'm leaving my wishes here for anyone who needs a few kind words. Who needs to be reminded that there is still light to be found even when everything seems dark.

Hello May {the month} - Miracles Await You! ❤️

May the start of this new month bring with it the miracles of grace, healing, inner peace and forgiveness.

May hope and joyful anticipation for beautiful new chapters in the story of your life flow gently into the painful endings you've endured thus far.

May tiny glimmers surprise you when you need them most, to inspire you to search out the small blessings, things to be grateful for and to hold on to a life worth living instead of merely existing while you're here.

May you find your purpose, the reason why you're in a specific place at a specific time.

Dearest, you're here for a reason.

You're worthy. You're loved. You're enough.