some of the ways i show love to myself

and it’s not just overpriced skincare, gimmicky face masks, and affirmations from the instagram explore page (cause that’s not what self love is)

• i say “damn she’s fly” or “damn she’s sexy” every time i walk past a mirror and catch my reflection

• i expect to look great in every photo or video; if i don’t, i assume the problem is lighting, angles, etc, but not me

• i discipline myself even when it’s hard, even when i don’t want to, and even when other people don’t think i should

• i hug myself as needed

• i rub my belly when i am bloated instead of shaming myself for eating too much

• i no longer participate in hyper-restrictive diets or lifestyles; i put the damn sugar in my coffee. fuck that sugar-free shit.

• i compliment myself frequently

• i reward myself as needed

• i don’t do what i don’t want to do

• i do what i want to do

• i wear what feels the best to me; i don’t rely on other people’s opinions

• i don’t care about how much i weigh; i focus on how my mind and body feel

• i have a “waiting room” for other people’s thoughts in my head so i choose which things influence me and which things i can throw away

• i tell myself good morning and good night every day

• if i happen to see the clock at 2:45 PM, i sing happy birthday to myself in my head

• i use productivity apps to keep my life organized like notion

• i write down all of my goals and achievements

• i use vision boards to remind myself of what i am working towards

• i don’t let people be mean to me; i speak up and defend myself, or i leave, or both

• i trust myself

• i make myself giggle on a daily basis

• i still partake in the hobbies and interests that baby alyse loved so dearly

• i roast myself as needed

• i don’t let guilt or shame consume me; i feel as needed and release

• i spend as much time as i need alone

• i love being alone

• i masturbate frequently

• i follow my intuition; i don’t second guess it

• i don’t participate in negative self talk or make self deprecating remarks in a serious manner; i barely even joke about it

• i don’t let people tell me who i am

• i trust my own judgment