10 Things I Love About Me

10 Things I Love About Me (And No, This Isn’t a Rom-Com)

For the longest time, I thought listing the things I loved about myself would be self-centered or arrogant. But something shifted this year. Maybe it was turning a new age, maybe it was surviving the past few months with my sanity barely intact, or maybe I just got tired of waiting for someone else to validate me. So here it is—a list of the ten things I love about me. Not in a braggy way, but in a "finally seeing myself clearly" way.

1. My Laugh

I used to be self-conscious about my laugh—it’s loud, kind of goofy, and totally unmissable. But it’s mine. It bubbles out when something truly tickles me, and I’ve learned to love that sound because it means I’m alive, I’m feeling joy, and I'm not holding back.

2. My Curiosity

I want to know everything. Why the sky is blue, how sourdough works, what makes people tick. I used to think I was annoying for asking too many questions, but now I see it as one of my greatest strengths. My curiosity keeps me growing.

3. My Resilience

There were times I didn’t think I could keep going—nights I cried myself to sleep, days I didn’t want to get out of bed. But I did. Over and over again. I’ve come through storms I never thought I could survive. That matters.

4. My Weird Taste in Music

My playlists are a chaotic mix of indie folk, 90s hip hop, lo-fi beats, and Broadway show tunes. And I love that. I no longer apologize for it. It reflects all the versions of me that have existed and still live inside me.

5. My Loyalty

If I love you, I’m there. Even when it’s inconvenient, even when it’s hard. Loyalty has cost me sometimes, but I value that about myself. When I commit, I mean it.

6. My Imagination

I can turn the most boring situation into a story in my head. Standing in line at the post office? Maybe I’m an undercover spy. Waiting for the bus? I'm writing song lyrics in my head. My imagination is my escape, my comfort, and often my creative fuel.

7. My Freckles

As a kid, I tried to scrub them off. I thought they made me look strange. Now, I love them. They’re like constellations on my face. A map of my summers, my childhood, my outdoor adventures.

8. My Boundaries

This one took years. I used to say yes to everything and everyone. Now, I say no when I need to. I protect my time, my energy, my peace. I’m still learning, but every time I set a boundary, I feel stronger.

9. My Passion for Words

I’ve written in journals since I was nine. Poems, stories, rants, letters I never sent. Words have always been how I made sense of the world. They still are. Writing has saved me more times than I can count.

10. My Growth

I’m not who I was five years ago. Or even one year ago. And that’s something I celebrate. I’ve unlearned harmful habits, faced fears, and leaned into discomfort to become someone I’m proud of.

So no, this isn’t a rom-com. It’s not about falling in love with someone else who shows me my worth. It’s about me showing up for myself, seeing myself clearly, and saying, "Hey, you’re actually pretty amazing."

And maybe the real love story was the one I was finally willing to write about myself.