Many people spend their whole lives searching for someone or something. They go near and far waiting for it to happen. A special someone or a clarifying moment that will magically change the direction of their life. So many times I have been asked why love isn’t returned or why people choose to hurt instead of love. In those moments all I can respond with is I don’t know. What I do know is that we have ourselves.

Self-love is something that is talked about frequently but rarely carried out. As a society we are often made to believe that it is important to find someone, but why does that so often determine our happiness? Yes, it can be a huge factor as to why people are happy but should that be the sole reason?

So many times I have seen people revolve around their relationships. They become so dependent on their significant other that they lose touch with who they are individually. Relationships can be exciting and life-changing, but it shouldn’t be the only reason why you get out of bed in the morning.

Start asking yourself what you can do to make your day more enjoyable. Is it working out? Is it getting your nails done with your closest girlfriend? How about taking a hot bath with your favorite bath bomb and listening to some relaxing music? Whatever it is that makes you happy should be a priority each and every day.

Start asking yourself, what am I going to do today that is going to make me genuinely happy? Self-love should be your number one priority. If you don’t love yourself how do you expect to find love somewhere else? Someone once told me that love finds you when you have found love within yourself.

People will let you down. That is just part of life. The only person that can be there 150% is yourself. It is easy to get down and pick apart pieces of yourself that you don’t feel good about. I am here to tell you that those pieces that you don't like are usually the best parts of who you are. For every negative thought you may have, try providing two positive ones.

This tactic may not work all of the time, but sometimes it's a good pick me up. Life can get hard and people may suck, but when that happens, instead of shutting down or feeling sorry, do something crazy. Have a spontaneous wine night, turn your music up as loud as it can go and get lost in your thoughts, call your best friend and have them remind you that you are awesome, go shopping, etc.

Self-love is the best thing you can do to mend a broken heart, get over a long day, or forget about a test that didn’t go as well as you thought it would. Self-love is the answer to your problems. It will be the epiphany you have been waiting to have. It will heal all wounds. The power to make you the best you can be is held within.

Beauty isn’t materialistic, but what is found on the inside. Take time for yourself and good things will come. Nothing is more attractive than someone who knows exactly what they want. Someone who will do whatever they have to in order to make their dreams come true. You become untouchable when you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.