Love yourself. Easy… right? WRONG. We are our own biggest critics. It is easy to quickly list off the 30 reasons that we are imperfect people, but the truth is, we are perfectly imperfect.

1. Start by comparing yourself, to only yourself. Compare yourself to your past self, and see the progression or regression that you are making with your personal goals and dreams. Comparing yourself to other people is unrealistic. Let's be real, you truly have no idea where they are in life or how they got to where they are. Comparing yourself to the old you, can remind you how far you have come and the direction that you should be headed. Love how you are literally, you are unable to compare yourself to anyone because you are so unique. Love your curves, muscles, hair, knots, bumps, and bruises. Your imperfections look perfectly imperfect on your unique skin.
2. Make lists. Ahhhhh, the gratification of crossing things off a long, long list… am I right? Make lists for everything and I personally promise that you will feel accomplished. Make a grocery list; make a daily ‘to do’ list; make a weekly goal list; etc. Right now you may be saying, “I don’t need a list, I have a mental list.” The fact is you are not superhuman and everyone forgets things on their mental list. On top of that, you can’t hold a mental list in your hand and scratch off a task with a ballpoint pen that glides so effortlessly across the paper, crossing off responsibilities and warming your soul with the idea of being closer to your goals.
3. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy. I guarantee you that fast food is not going to make you feel good. I also guarantee you that not eating enough food is not going to make you feel good. You get your energy, clear skin, glowing complexion, and beautiful body from eating healthy and taking care of yourself. Make it a priority to eat at least 3 meals a day, and make it a priority to know what is in those meals. Bathe regularly. Coming out of a hot shower and putting clean clothes on can be the perfect way to start, or end to your day. Wash your face and brush your teeth and remember that looking good, feels good. Wear clothes that make you feel good. Wear clothes that express you without you having to even speak. Wear clothes that hang like lace, or clothes that tightly hug your curves. Wear clothes that make YOU feel good.
4. Treat yourself. Remember that time you swore you would finally use that nail salon gift card your mother gave you last christmas? Well that time is now! Get your hair done while you’re at it. A cut or a blow never felt so good. Are you single on a holiday? More of a reason to treat yourself. Splurge and purchase those pair of shoes you have been dying to have. Get sushi for the 3rd time this week, it's okay! Treat yourself, you are a hardworking person who deserves it.
5. Put yourself first. It is easy to invest your energy in friends, family, relationships, etc. It is hard to invest your energy in yourself. There are 7.4 billion people in the world, so it seems near impossible to concentrate your energy on yourself when there are so many people that could use the help. Near impossible, but possible. Invest your energy into people that invest their energy into you. Equally water each other’s flowers. Equally tend each other’s garden. Avoid putting your all into people, relationships, situations, that are possible “energy suckers”, as I would call it. Be a little selfish, while remaining empathetic and open minded.

Remember that you are all you have at the end of the day. And you have to put yourself first, love yourself first, take care of yourself... first.