In a world dominated by social media, the countless (and often contradicting) expectations can make it incredibly difficult for us to be fully in love with ourselves. The topic of self -love has become quite popular, and I can say firsthand that it is not as easy as portrayed. Falling in love with yourself and your life is not a calculated equation; it is a long process that takes both time and conscious effort. While it may not be simple, by making a few small changes to our everyday life, we can all become happier versions of our already badass selves.

1. Stop comparing.

Let’s face it. We live in an age of documenting our every move and putting it on the Internet; how could we not compare our lives to the photoshopped versions we are constantly exposed to. Before falling into the trap of comparison, we must remember that we are each unique; and despite our countless efforts, will never be able to completely replicate those that we idolize and often, envy. Before lessening your own qualities next to those of others, keep in mind the only person you have to measure up to is yourself. You are one of a kind—embrace it, dammit.

2.Find your happy.

What was the first thing that came to mind when you read those quotes? As silly as it may sound, we often forget to do the things that make up “our happy”. When we are most in love with our lives, we are the most in love with ourselves--makes sense, right? So find what makes you your happiest self: where you are, what you are doing, who you are with, and keep on doing it.

3. The company you keep.

At the end of the day, happiness is a result of your relationship with yourself. However, there is no question that a supportive and wholesome set of relationships can enhance your life for the better. As humans, we thrive off of the presence of others. Instead of spending our time dealing with toxic relationships, let’s find people that make us feel like our best selves—those who encourage us, motivate us, and inspire us to reach our greatest potential.

4. Don't settle.

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that everyday we wake up with a chance to transform our lives. The more time we waste complaining and wishing for change, the more time we will remain stagnant. Life is too short to reside in our comfort zones and settle for mediocre versions of ourselves. Be sure to take time to identify what is making you unhappy about your life, and change accordingly.

5. Be kind to yourself.

As we continue to learn and grow, it’s easy to forget where we started. More often than not, we act as our harshest critics, rather than our biggest fans. Instead of focusing on where we think we fall short, let’s concentrate on our accomplishments, no matter how minute they may seem. Life can be hard on us as it is, so let us make the effort to be gentle.

I know it is going to take more than this article for us to truly learn to love ourselves. But baby steps, right? You are awesome, remember that.