As we get older, the days of self-care grow smaller as more life opportunities and obstacles come up. While life may be a gift, it can be hard to find the time to care for yourself when there isn't someone watching over you. Unfortunately, it is one of the downsides to growing up because as kids we become so accustomed to our parents or other caregivers that when it's our time to grow outside of the nest, there is a lot of adaptation and readjustment that follows.

Let's just say as I'm reaching my twenties, I am in an extremely weird phase of life. Transitioning from living at home to living in an apartment in another city is quite the lifestyle change. Although they say nothing comes easy in life, I still find myself struggling to take care of myself since it feels like no one is here to look over me. While this is completely normal for people my age and it is just another phase of life, finding the light to the situation is hard. But finding a support system of people that love and support you will help in the long run.

For several years now, I kept asking the same question "Why do I feel so out of place?" "When will I find a healthy relationship?" or simply "When will I find peace within myself?". I did not know the answer is that I need to take care of myself before I care about anyone else romantically. I am a person who gets caught up in the moment with somebody else and does not put myself first. I thought this was a good trait to have because it showed how much I cared about somebody, but it bites you back when the person is gone and you feel that you lost yourself in the process. That's when self-love should swoop in and rescue the day.

I would say I'm still on the path to a healthy new lifestyle where I am not only taking care of myself physically but mentally too. Sure, someone can lift weights at the gym and eat healthy to get gains, but practicing patience and the concept of loving yourself is more important. Not having a healthy mindset will cause a lack of motivation and can put a dent in your active lifestyle. I wish I discovered this sooner that way it would save the stress and long nights of contemplation, but it is better to recognize the problem and immediately find a resolution to solve it rather than ignore the problem altogether.