When I was a child, I loved being me. I previously thought it was because I am the youngest of four children, and I’m also the only girl of my family. This means that I was spoiled, and a lot. Now, as I reminisce, I realize that’s not the case (partly, because it does really pay to be Daddy’s little princess). It has to do with the age and the way that kids think. Some might say it’s selfish, but I believe it’s beautiful.

When I’m back home in New Hampshire, I work at a daycare. Although, this summer was different for me. I really fell in love with the kids. I was in the same classroom every day, so I was with the same kids all the time. It became routine; I knew which kid was going to have a meltdown and when, who was going to hit who if they wanted the same toy, and who was going to run down the slide on their feet instead of slide down on their bum like they’re supposed to. This became my life, and I only started to enjoy it when I really started to pay attention.

The way that children think, act and speak is all very self-centered. Two-year-olds are very concerned about themselves, because that’s really all they can understand, but if you look deeper into it, that way of thinking is very beneficial. Now, I am in no way saying to go out and live life only concerned with yourself. That’s not going to help anything, either. But I believe there is something so special about putting yourself first sometimes, and it’s been essential in my journey to loving myself again.

The way that kids are so unapologetically themselves is inspiring. They want what they want, and they have no shame in displaying curiosity or finding amusement in the smallest things. This doesn’t have to leave childhood, and if translated right, I fully believe it can be kept and brought into adulthood. There’s no shame in wanting different things then everyone else just expects of you. There’s no shame in loving the way you look, even if that isn’t what society tells you is attractive. There’s no shame in being fully you, and loving every second of it.

Being different is a blessing. God creates all of us differently, and He loves us all just the same. We are all meant to be individuals, but being at peace with that is so hard when we live in a society that only praises a certain type of person. If you fit that category, you’ll be fine. If not, it can be really hard. That’s why it’s important to start with yourself. To start loving and caring about yourself also means you can let go of the crazy societal expectations and focus on what God made you to do.

It’s a good thing to pamper yourself. Tell yourself you look good. Take a night off, away from people, and treasure the time you have with the one person you can never get away from, yourself. Love yourself like a child. Live with the perception of a child, and innocently go after anything you want. I wasn’t able to be the daughter God wanted me to be until I saw what he saw in me. When I was able to get rid of the negative thoughts I was able to let go, fully love myself, and in return I learned what it really meant to love other people.