Learn to LOVE Yourself FIRST

YAAY!… For another blog post!!! So far, my resolution to post at least once per month in 2016 has not been given up!

Anyways, Happy Belated Valentines Day (my internet was acting up so I couldn’t post on the actual day like I was hoping to)! Often times I will get a little depressed on Valentines Day because I am still single, but this year I decided I wanted to really focus on some of the things I have learned to LOVE about my life so far. I was truly my OWN valentine on Sunday. I happily watched The Bachelor Wedding, ate ice cream, and chilled in the apartment by myself as I wrote this.

Here are some of the many reasons why I love myself:

1)I have learned the importance of being single. Every so often I will get frustrated that I’m not reaching certain personal goals that have frequently popped up on my facebook newsfeed.  More and more, engagements, weddings, and babies are becoming common posts by my friends.  Seeing all of these may get me in a funk because I too hope to achieve all of those goals sometime in my life. BUT, then I remember that I have accomplished a lot in my life too. The past couple years have been crucial to me achieving a lot of my personal, professional, and social goals. I NEEDED the freedom to go out and explore who I am and the world around me with out feeling the pull from someone else. This time has allowed me to live on both coasts of the country, find jobs, and make friendships with some of the coolest people. I have traveled to Colorado with my mom to celebrate my best friend’s wedding, planned and visited friends in New York twice on my own, and gone on little day trips by myself to do what I wanted to do.  If I want to go and do something solo, I have learned how cathartic it can be.  Several weeks ago after an insanely busy weekend at work, I didn’t feel like I wanted to go home but I also was not in the mood to be around anyone. So instead, I went and saw the movie Brooklyn by myself.  I remember talking with my mom and her suggesting I invite one of my sisters so I’d have a buddy.  Usually I would have totally been in love with that idea, but I think it was also good for me to go out and do something by myself and completely enjoy it.  I remember leaving the theater after the movie and feeling really peaceful.  This independence is awesome because it proves that I can stand on my own two feet and know that I can be happy with or without people always around me.

2) I have learned my own self worth and to embrace my own form of crazy. I always feel kind of hesitant saying this cause I feel like it can come across as cocky or overly confident, but I know that I HAVE A LOT TO OFFER THE WORLD and MY FUTURE HUSBAND. I am smart, creative, incredibly optimistic, and passionate about life. I see the good in most situations and always want to be there for my friends and family when they need help, want to do something fun, or have something either happy or sad to share with me. I have one friend who said once that she loves telling me about any event in her life because she knows that I will always give her the best reaction.

I love that I am not afraid to be silly or sing at the top of my lungs. Without any liquid courage, I can do karaoke, dance crazy, and say ridiculous things. I have been called crazy or weird and been given funny looks from people but I never seem to care too much. The ones who are my good friends and my family seem to accept me for me.

I will not settle for just any one when it comes to love and relationships. I would rather be single than be with someone who would want to change me or prevent me from going for my goals. I am determined to live a full life in which I can hopefully be professionally and personally successful and everyday I can express my enthusiasm whole-heartedly.

3) I have really started to take care of my health and feel strong. Being single gives me plenty of time to reflect on what I am doing that affects my health. I have tried to include better and well-balanced meals into my day. I love to run, walk, and join friends in their workouts. But, one of the biggest influences on my body over the past year is attending Pure Barre. For me, the only downside of this type of class is how expensive it can be because every other part of the studio I’m in love with. From the moment I step into Pure Barre- Short Pump, I feel a sense of calm come over me. It really has become more than just a class that I know will help tone up my entire body. It is very meditative for me. I love attending a class in the morning because it helps me to focus on my goals for the day and get my workout in so the rest of the day is free to be productive.   There have been some classes when I just smile like crazy or even tear up a little during the final stretches when I think about how awesome I feel or focus on all that I have achieved in that certain class.

But, night classes are also amazing because of the atmosphere and often the larger group of people since many people are out of work by 5:30 or so. I am addicted to the shake and burn that my muscles feel, as I know that I am making progress. The first time I was able to hold the 90-second plank was such a proud moment for me! I love how the teachers will cheer you on when I express to them my successes and happily answer any questions I may have. Each teacher makes a point to learn all of the student’s names and provide compliments that really do help me push through poses that I feel like I can’t hold very much longer. I like that they also provide goals and incentive programs that lead to an awesome rewards like discounts on apparel or class packages. I also really like the social aspect of Pure Barre. I usually go by myself but I will see the same people in class with me and talk with them and the teachers about their weeks.  A cardio class called Platform has recently started at my studio. I can’t wait to start seeing how the classes will start conditioning my body in another way! The 55 minutes I am in class are what I look forward to every day and I’m so glad that I have made it a priority. I feel stronger than I have felt since before moving to Los Angeles and that makes me really proud.

I truly have a lot to be grateful for and even though I can get in a funk around Valentine’s Day, I have so many people and events in my life that make me feel loved. I love my parents, siblings, nieces, and all the awesome friends who make me smile and laugh everyday. But, even more importantly I want to express in this blog post that I love the decisions I have made and the person I have become so far. I haven’t always felt that way, (and I am sure there will be many times when I question situations I have gotten myself into), but feeling better at this moment about not having my other half right now is a lot of progress for me. I think that revelation about myself will help me find someone else because as the saying goes, “You can’t truly love someone else until you love yourself.” Even when my life gets tough or confusing, it is really beautiful and I love the one I’m living.