Before leaving for college after seven months of quarantine, I found myself dusting off old scrapbooks that live in my mom's office. Then I clicked through years of files on her slow and loud early 2000s laptop. I had not seen these pictures in years. I found old pictures of my siblings, younger versions of my parents, and some hilarious and adorable pictures of myself.

I felt drawn to my younger self. As long as I can remember, I have struggled with self image, thinking I am not good enough, pretty enough, skinny enough, funny enough for people. Looking my elementary school self in the eyes, I realized none of it was true. I am enough. Dressed up in funny costumes of my own creation or posing with a Cheeto like a cigarette, I found myself laughing. Holding my newborn baby sister or helping my younger brother climb a tree with me, I saw the immense compassion I held. Standing in my dirt biking gear, pink helmet in hand, I saw a confidence and bravery that showed in my face.

Presently, I find myself leaving a relationship and once again dealing with the feeling that I am anything but good enough. One particularly depressing night, I opened the "throwbacks" album on my phone. It contained all of the images of myself that I had transferred from my moms outdated laptop. Again, I was flooded with the realization that my self-worth is not based on the people around me, but is built from my experiences. No matter what happens, I am this little girl who's face beams in the photos.

After glancing through the nostalgic images again, I exiled any doubt I had about myself from the hurtful ending to a relationship. I realized that I would never let my younger self be treated in any way that was not respectful and wholeheartedly loving. Bad-ass dirt biker me would never have stood to be mistreated. My current self would probably beat up anyone who tried to hurt these innocent versions of myself. So I made the decision then and there, that I deserve better. From friends, relationships, and most importantly myself. I am the only one who can always be there for myself, because I am uniquely created with talents and passions that others don't. Anyone who doesn't see that is at a loss.

So next time that you have been burned by someone, I urge you to take a trip down memory lane and remind yourself who you are. It helped me realize that if I care for people with my whole heart and would never purposefully hurt them, then I deserve nothing less in return--and the same goes for you!