How To Begin Your Journey Of Self-Love

Photography: Firemark Photo Media
Designer: Suga And Salt
Makeup: Amera Tabet

When I was younger, and still at times at this “older” age, I was really hard on myself. I would compare my teeth, my body, my grades to other people. I felt that my self-worth is based by how many followers and likes I had from people. Little did I know that I would no longer be attracted to these “exterior” things. My SELF-WORTH has nothing to do about my followers and how many people “likes” my post. It’s about giving myself self-love and self-care every day. To not please others, to not always say yes to everything. I used to be that girl. Who couldn’t no. I would be raped in relationships cause I didn’t know how to say no the other person. But it’s not my fault that I was raped. But one thing I do believe, I’m a good person – and a good person can also make bad choices. I have made bad choices in men, and I acknowledge and accept that. I learn from these experiences, and as I reflect on it, it has shaped and given me more resilience than before. I add GRIT into my life. I am who I am, I am someone with real lived experiences and I want to create an image/role model for younger girls that through difficult times and trauma, one can add grit, and build resilience through the negative experiences. I love doing self-care and self-love – where for example finding joy in making a cup of tea, listening to calm music, long hot showers or even using as art as a therapy. For me, as an Artist, I use art to release my creativity and everything. My art speaks to me and also other people.

Self love begins with you.

That begins when you know your goals.
You know your worth.
You know that you’re capable.

No one else can do you better than you.

Sometimes it takes stepping out of your comfort zone, and do something new. Take up a new hobby, do something that challenges you in your day job.

You are who you tell yourself.
If you tell yourself that you’re ugly, you start to believe that you’re ugly.

If you tell yourself that you’re capable, you are capable.

If you tell yourself that you’re enough, then you’re enough.

Self love is not external, but internal.

Take care of yourself by starting a mantra at the start of each day, tell yourself, “I am capable. I am worthy. I am enough”.

I promise it will get easier with each day.

When I found out I got Bipolar as my diagnosis, I froze. I didn’t know what to do, what to say to myself.

My journey is definitely had it good days and bad days.

But it’s the bad days that help shape who you become.