How Do You Show Yourself Love?

Self-love seems to be the big thing lately these last couple of years. Honestly, it make sense because of how brainwashing social media as well as society can be. It seems like no matter how much someone promotes how you don't have to be a certain weight, have your eyebrows plucked, wear designer clothing, anything and everything else, there is another side waiting to destroy the confidence of many men and women. Personally, it is disgusting to degrade someone simply because of your taste in different things.

I began getting bullied in fifth grade, especially after I got glasses for the first time ever. It started with a girl who will remain unnamed for her privacy. Want to know how she bullied me? Online- Facebook. I don't even remember why she began doing these things and it confused my innocent, lovely mind. In middle school, it got worse. There was a popular boy with dark hair and a name I cannot remember for the life of me- it is probably better that way. We were in the art classroom watching a movie about a girl who moved from the city to the country and there were bits and pieces of them riding into the city together for something school related- from what I could recall.

Randomly, this boy I have never even spoken a word to, told me that I looked like a moose. The whole class started laughing at his rude comment. I began crying from confusion and embarrassment and, well, hurt. My teacher had escorted me out into the hallway and told me to "calm down" out there while tears streamed down my face. I didn't understand why he called me that or why he wasn't getting in trouble for bullying. A boy was walking down the hall and congratulated me on getting kicked out and I looked up at him from the dirty school floor, with tears in my eyes staining my cheeks, saying, "I didn't get kicked out. He called me a moose." The boy went silent and continued walking.

The girl from earlier continued with the bullying up until freshmen year of high school before my family packed up and moved down to Georgia. She never really talked to me personally, it was always spreading rumors or targeting me through Facebook.

I'm not gonna lie, but I was kind of ugly from intermediate all the way through high school although a lot of people said otherwise. I have had a difficult time loving myself yet I am all for self-love and self-care. If someone said they hated something about themselves or said they wishes they look like so-and-so, I would be the first person to let them know that they shouldn't feel these things but love themselves because no one can do it better than you.

Throughout the years, especially after getting married, I love my self but there are some days I tell myself in my head how I shouldn't have ate that extra cookie or styled my hair the way I did. Self- love is forever a learning game. That's why I decided to ask men and women on both my Facebook and Instagram, how they show love to themselves.

Ways to love yourself:

1. Sleeping- I know almost everyone enjoys sleeping. Especially if it includes a nap and/or sleeping in in the morning. However, this does not imply to the people who wake up at ungodly hours just because. I do not know what they are drinking- people who enjoy waking up super early. Even if you sleep in on your days off, you are thanking your body for being able to work those long hard hours. There is nothing wrong with sleeping in every now and then. If you feel exhausted and it isn't close to bed time, go ahead and take a short nap! No one will be mad at you.

2. Long showers- Personally, I enjoy taking showers very much. The feeling of getting clean is a very happy thought in my mind. Your muscles learn to relax and not be so tense especially with that hot water hitting your back. Putting on some relaxing music also helps or something soft but you can chose whatever your heart desires.

3. Crying- Ah, yes. Crying. One of the things I can do wonderfully without question. No, really, crying is okay. It typically means you feel overwhelmed with emotions and naturally, it is a response to these things you are feeling within or on the outside. Whenever I lost ten pounds, I cried happy tears because I was just so proud of myself although my body hurt. I owe it to myself to get in better shape. Now, I am not saying you must weigh a certain weight- get to a weight that makes you happy. If losing five ounces fills you with inexpiable emotions, go ahead and cry! Men and women.

4. Buying clothes- I know of many people who hate shopping and those who enjoy it very much. I am in between of loving and hating it. I guess you could say that I tolerate it. Whenever it comes to buying clothes, however, I absolutely despise it. Maybe you are wondering why, or maybe, you know exactly why I hate it. It is the process of trying on clothes that I hate. Mainly, I just hate trying to find something that fits right everywhere. I know there are other people in the world who knew the struggle of this. Yet, at the same time, I enjoy finding things that represent who I am. Buying clothes is a mental battle if you dislike yourself but at the same time, it can make you feel bad ass especially if you buy a whole new outfit. You must set your mind in the mood to buy clothes so you enjoy it rather than dislike it because then it would make for a depressing shopping trip.

5. Smoking weed- I highly recommend this if it is legal in your state! Do not feel pressured by anyone, however.

6. Bettering Lifestyle- This includes changing how you eat, and how you spend your free time. Simply taking a walk in the morning or before dark arrives every day can make a difference even if it is small. Drinking more water rather than sodas helps tremendously also. Literally just bettering your health, mentally and physically, can help so much in loving yourself.

7. Eat lots of fruit- This plays off from the previous one. Too many fruits can be bad, however, because of all the natural sugars! Eating a fruit a day would be good.

8. Appreciate all of your senses- There are so many people in the world who do not have some senses. For example, hearing, touching, seeing, tasting, and smelling. If you smelled your favorite flowers, thank your body for being able to do that. If you witnessed an extraordinary sunset, thank your body to be able to see it. You get the point. Just be thankful for your body having the ability to do these things all day, every day.

9. Start a skin care routine- Doing this allows you to have healthy skin and not have many breakouts or scars. Especially if you wash your face every night before bed or after every workout, you will see a different in healthier skin! However, finding the right products for you could take some experimenting. I am still currently trying to find the right one for me!

10. Drink water all the time- I cannot stress enough how healthy it is for you to drink water all day every day. Yes, you can have your coffee in the morning or your alcoholic drinks, and whatnot. I drink water all the time. Unless my husband and I go out to eat, then I will have a soda.