#selflovemonday // love yourself

Before you start reading, I recommend making yourself a lovely cup of tea, or hot cocoa, get into your cosy sweater and find your softest socks, and then start reading. I would also add the finish touch by playing some soft jazz music in the background, but that's just me and my personal preference. Today I decided to start the week off with something positive, and even though the content I have planned is not negative, I just felt like doing something different instead. And sometimes you just have to go with your gut, you know? It's currently raining where I live, the feel in the air is very dull and grey, which is why I felt the need to publish something more cheerful and upbeat today! Well, I hope your hot beverage of choice is ready and you are feeling as cosy as one possibly could. I know I am, and I opted for tea, if you were curious. 

In life we often come across people that don't like us, I mean it happened to all of us at one point, right? And sometimes that might brings us down, right? But I learned over time that as long as you honestly love yourself, you will be okay and you'll get right back up, even if someone tries to pull you down. They're the miserable suckers in this story, not you! Because you are lovely, you are kind and you are strong! But most importantly, YOU LOVE YOURSELF, and they apparently don't. As someone who loves himself, doesn't feel the need to bring someone else down. I mean we all judge sometimes (or is that just me??) but that's okay, as long as you aren't hurting anyone's feelings with it. I know I personally am a very honest person, so sometimes that might come across as mean to some but mostly people that I spend time with, know that I mean no harm with it and they take it lightheartedly. At least I hope so! 

The point is that YOU LOVE YOURSELF. And honestly, I love you too. Because to me there is nothing more appealing and charming about a person than that soft breeze of confidence that you just feel instantly. Sometimes that confidence comes easy, some people are just lucky enough that they have always been confident, but most of us had had to work for it. Some are still working on it. But even if you're starting to love yourself, or you already do, it's important that you keep going. Don't let other people diminish your self worth because you are the only one that can do that. Don't give others that power, keep it for yourself. But you would never want to bring yourself down, so luck would have it, that you will remain confident and you will always love yourself. 

But also LOVE YOURSELF FIRST. Sometimes love for others comes way easily than love for yourself, and even though loving others is great and should be encouraged, it's also often too easy to end up loving them more than you love yourself. And that's where things usually go down the hill. I think in all relationships, whether that be a romantic or friendly, it's very important that you love yourself first, before you give love to anyone else. I am one of those people that don't trust easily, and therefore don't give love easily, but when I do it will be wholehearted but there will still come a time when I'll just need a minute or two to show myself some love. Usually that would come in the form of a relaxing pamper evening, with candles and a lush bubble bath, followed by a luxe skincare ritual. There are things that you just have to do for yourself, to treat yourself and relax. Or maybe you just want to have a casual night out with your friends, that counts too. 

My tip to loving yourself would be to get to know your body, accept your body as your own and be proud of it, no matter what society and media tell you that your body should look like. They can go and fuck themselves (pardon my language). But also show yourself love by giving yourself some nice treats. Like for me that would be a weekly bubble bath and if I'm feeling rather down, I would resort to buying myself something lovely. Today for example I bought a new scarf that was just screaming my name, and I instantly felt better, disregard the weather. Buy yourself gifts, buy yourself flowers, treat yourself and don't wait for that special someone that will treat you. Getting treated by someone else is lovely, receiving a bouquet of flowers is lovely, but there won't always be that special someone and at that time you need to get yourself some nice flowers, because YOU, MY DEAR, DESERVE ALL THE FLOWERS. 

What is your favourite way of treating yourself? Write in the comments the 5 things you like the most about yourself — be as vain as you want.