be your own friend

Be your own friend. Simple as that.

Maybe you’ve heard it before, but I’m going to tell you again. Love yourself. #treatyoself like you would treat your very best friend.

Alright, now that I’ve said all that, I have to admit something to you. This is the most hypocritical post I will likely write  (hey, no promises… nobody’s perfect). But, in my first post, I promised real life, and real life is what I’m giving you.

I worked at a summer day camp this year. That meant, I was with kiddos 8-9 hours/5 days a week, which was exhausting, but incredibly rewarding and enlightening too. On a particularly warm July day, we were doing self portraits in art camp. Naturally, I decided to draw one alongside the kids. Note: (get ready, I am about to sound like every single teacher you’ve ever had) I am not an artist. I like to draw stick figures and I love to color pictures and doodle. But I am not the most gifted in making anything realistic looking. Oops (I’ll stick to the math problems ha ha). Anyhoo, while we were drawing away, the kids kept on making comments like “mine stinks”, “ugh, I’m the worst”, “mine doesn’t look right at all!!”.. you get the picture. I was so upset! They were 8 years old! Of course these would be no Van Goghs. So I told them with a smile: “don’t be so negative, it’s all a work in progress and art is about creating not perfecting.”

Well… not 30 seconds later does a little girl ask to see mine. Without thinking, I quite quickly responded, “ohh no, mine’s not very good.” !!!!!! The other counselor in the room just looked at me, a smile in her eyes, knowing exactly what had just happened. I was such a hypocrite.

For some reason, it is so easy for us to compliment others, to give them advice (you deserve better, you can do it, etc.), but when it comes to ourselves, it is SO much easier to be negative. Which is a horribly destructive way to live your life. Confidence is ~key~ something that is impossible when there is a little voice in your brain critiquing every move you make. And even though I don’t have the secret “10 Steps to Be a Better Friend to Yourself” I do know this: You do deserve better. You can do it. You are beautiful. You are loved. You are cherished.

So please try, and I’m trying too, to be your own friend and always remember to #TreatYoSelf. word.