For years I never thought I had a problem with self-love. I had plenty of friends, a few serious relationships, and when I looked in the mirror I liked what I saw. It wasn't until I was feeling completely alone that it hit me: It's easy to love yourself when everyone adores you or you have makeup to cover your insecurities, but what happens when you're alone? What happens when the boys break your heart and your friends are all busy and the makeup comes off? All you have is yourself, imperfections and all.

And that's when I realized I had a big problem.

I loved myself when things were going well, when I was happy and laughing and carefree. But when any sort of hardship entered my life I didn't feel comfortable with the person I saw in the mirror anymore. I've gone through one or two bad breakups, there have been times where things with my friends weren't exactly sunshine and rainbows, and sometimes the way I looked made me feel disgusting. I remember during these times that all I wanted was for someone to swoop in and save me. I wanted some hero to come and make me feel happy and beautiful.

I always saw quotes about "loving yourself first", and that idea often felt like a foreign concept. No one was put on this planet with the sole purpose of picking you up when you're feeling down. Sure, your friends and family are meant to have your back. But sometimes you need to be able to be alone with yourself. For a long time, the thought of comforting myself seemed like the loneliest idea in the world. After breakups or fights with friends I would vent to anyone that would listen. I was terrified of being alone because that meant facing the fact that I didn't truly know how to love myself.

The concept of self-love is all over social media and it seemed like it would be so easy. "Buy some bath bombs!" "Listen to your favorite songs!" "Try a face mask!". Eventually the bath drains, the song ends, and the face mask washes off.

The most important way to love yourself is to take a long look in the mirror. Forget the people around you and the makeup on your face and just look at who you are. When all is said and done you are a human being, and no matter what bath bomb you buy or song you put on, the fact that you are trying to love yourself is the most admirable thing you can do. Accepting and loving the person that you see in the mirror is so important because you deserve all the love in the world, and that love starts with you.