I’ve always struggled with my self-confidence. This challenge exists for many reasons, and I have attempted for years to overcome them. Yet when you came along, those challenges became insignificant. In such a short time, you've changed my life so drastically. And while I’d love to know how you made this possible, I honestly haven’t the faintest idea. So instead, I want to thank you. Thank you for helping me to love myself.

Thank you for helping me to overcome my insecurities. One-by-one, things that used to make me feel ashamed have revealed themselves as trivial. When I’m with you, they aren’t anything to feel insecure about. Rather, they are the quirks that make me an individual. They may even be some of the qualities that you appreciate most about me. Whether it’s the funny way I laugh or the way my body looks, you like it not because it’s right or wrong, but because it’s who I am. And who I am is good.

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Thank you for teaching me how to take a compliment. It’s an art that not many people have mastered, and it’s much more difficult than it sounds. You remind me that it doesn’t matter if I think it is true, the person giving it seems to feel that way. Rather than deflecting or denying, don’t be ashamed to take a compliment! It isn’t arrogant to admit that a compliment can feel nice. The power of a smile and a “thank you” can do wonders. It even reminds me to give more compliments to others.

Thank you for accepting my true self. More than sheer acceptance, your encouragement to be authentic and true has changed my life. So I don’t know that song everyone is talking about, I’ve never shopped at that store. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything— I don’t need to spend my time or effort on things that only matter to other people. You value me for who I am, not for who I could be. You support me following my passion, not following the popular crowd or media. Everyone’s individuality is just that— individual— and rather than conform, we should embrace it in its own state.

Thank you for making me feel beautiful. You see my beauty no matter my current state— whether I spent an hour doing my makeup or just rolled out of bed. Through this, you have showed me my own worth. You showed me that I am beautiful because of what’s inside and constant, not because of the clothes I wear or the time I spend in the gym. And that is also what I should find beautiful about others. You are the first person to truly convince me to cut myself some slack.

Thank you for making me stop caring about what other people think. When I’m with you, I don’t have another care in the world. So what if we laugh too loud or aren’t dressed “right”— most people have better things to worry about. And even those who don’t will hardly remember it a half-hour later. The only one who will really remember the time I tripped up the stairs is me, and I think it’s a funny memory anyway.

Thank you for teaching me that self-love isn’t selfish. It isn’t vain or rude. A huge gap lies between confidence and vanity, and you have showed me that distinction. Confidence allows you to broaden your horizons, while vanity cripples you from seeing anything beyond yourself.

You have given me such a gift. You’ve given me the freedom to walk around with my head held high and live my life without seeking others’ approval. Will people out there judge me? Yeah, probably. But does their judgment matter? No. As long as I am happy with my decisions and living my life the way I feel is healthiest and happiest, that’s what truly matters.

Thank you so much for helping me grow natural, free, and strong. You have truly changed my life.

Love,

Me