Falling in love with yourself is something that doesn’t come easy to all of us and at the age of twenty I am starting to figure it all out.  Ever since I have appreciated myself my life has changed.  I have become more confident, stronger, and put forth more effort in everything I do.  Loving yourself truly can make an impact on your life and the path you are taking.

Your twenties can be some of the most confusing, challenging, and stressful times of your life, but loving yourself will make it all that much easier.  I am here to help and show you how I have learned to love myself each and every day.

1. Be patient with yourself

The truth this I am the most impatient person you could come across and would you believe me if I told you I learned patients working at a daycare last summer?  Truthfully I did and now I can thank those toddlers.  As you’re trying to work on self-love you will need to realize this will not happen in five minutes.  It could take months, maybe even years and will build up in time to create a healthy self of steam.  Learning to fall in love with yourself is a process and change takes time, so be patient.  Good things come to those who wait.

2. Don’t sweat the small stuff

Never allow the little things take over your life.  Whether it’s an ex friend, failing a test, or thinking you will never have enough time to get a paper done; I am here to tell you it always works out in the end.  We stress ourselves out so much, when a times it is not needed.  Stressing out is not good for the mind or the body.  Your body is temple, treat is kindly.  Letting the little things bother you, will leave you angry with yourself your entire life.  The point is to not fight it off or try and make it go away, the point is to learn to let it come and let it go, be happy and love your life. 

3. Be confident in everything you do

Loving yourself is when you feel good about yourself without feeling the need for anyone else’s approval.  No one knows yourself better then you do, no knows what makes yourself happy more than you do.  Embrace yourself and what you have become and what you are going to be, no one can take that away from you.  Confidence has always been difficult for me. (I mean, isn’t it for every young man/women?)  I learned to be confident with myself by creating a happy and healthy lifestyle for myself.  When I learned to become confident, I had never loved myself more.  Confidence is so important, not only does it make you love yourself, but the people surrounding you see it too.

4. Surround yourself with positive people

Growing up I have had all types of people in my life, some who are still here and some who have left.  We have all had toxic people in our life, but in some way or another they have taught us something.  I have learned I never want people who make me feel bad about myself in my life and have learned to only surround myself with positivity.  It took me entering college to figure this out.  When I am around confident people it reflects off of them on to me.  Seeing people who love me for me and would do anything for me, made me love myself so much more.

It is now time to truly be yourself, and love yourself.  Do what makes you happy, and never let anyone or anything hold you back.  Understand that there is no need to feel lonely because you will learn to love yourself.  Take this as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and how much you can accomplish all because you love yourself and who you are. Romance in everything you do, because you are beautiful.  Love your little habits and become happy with your body, mind, and surroundings.  You are you, and that should be enough.

I hope you learn. I hope you laugh. I hope you never stop. And remember being fit is always in style.

-Karlee Fowler