Being in a relationship with someone is all about finding out about the other person, falling in love with all of their little things and quirks, and loving them for who they are even when it's not easy. But being in a relationship can be stressful! You're essentially taking on a whole other person's life, making sure they're constantly doing okay; and when they aren't, doing everything you can to make it better. But what about the relationship you're in with yourself?

Constantly worrying about someone else can be way overwhelming, especially if you're not worrying enough about yourself and making sure you're doing okay. Over the past couple of months, I have learned more about myself than ever before. I've learned to love all of my little things and quirks, I've learned to love myself even though I'm not perfect, and most importantly, I have learned how to be alone with myself.

Being alone has always been something that I struggle with. What are you supposed to do when you don't have the distraction of someone else? How are you supposed to have fun? How do you not just lay in bed staring at the ceiling until you finally fall asleep at night? You get up! You wash and dry and fold your laundry, you organize and reorganize your bookshelf a dozen times until it's finally how you want it to be, you watch your favorite movie and eat your favorite snacks while taking up the entire bed. Why? Because you can!

Something I have to remind myself of sometimes is that being alone doesn't mean you are alone. And while it's taken me a full twenty and a half years to accept who I am when I'm by myself, it was well worth the wait. I have never felt so confident and so beautiful in my entire life. I look up to myself because I am a badass who has taken control of her life in the best way possible. I am so excited for my future and all of the amazing things I'm going to do and accomplish.

Here are some self-care tips and a few things that have helped me fall in love with myself:

• Love the body you were given because you ain't gettin another one
• Drink water and lots of it
• Have a movie day with yourself, a big bag of chips, and your bed
• Curl up with your furpets and read a good book
• Listen to music that makes you want to dance
• Eat food that makes you happy, even that brownie you've been craving all day
• Take yourself out for ice cream or to your favorite restaurant
• Write write write, I cannot express how much writing has helped me!
• Remember to go easy on yourself; have urgency but don't overdo it

“Here is a new spiritual practice for you: don’t take your thoughts so seriously.”
— Eckhart Tolle