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

There are people who blush at the idea of loving themselves out loud. Not me. Not anymore. After years of shrinking, apologizing, and making myself small enough to fit inside the fragile egos of others, I’ve learned that self-love isn’t arrogance — it’s survival. So here’s my list of ten things I absolutely adore about myself. Prepare for some sass and a lot of heart.

1. I’m a Poet. Full Stop.

I can spin heartbreak into haiku and turn chaos into couplets. My mind speaks in metaphors. I write because I have to; it’s how I breathe, how I bleed, how I bloom. I’ve got journals that could start a small fire and verses that have never seen the light of day but have kept me lit from the inside. There’s magic in that.

2. I’m an Empath. And Also an Introverted Extrovert. Yes, It’s a Thing.

I can feel the mood shift in a room faster than a weather app tracks a thunderstorm. I pick up vibes like lint. I’ll be the life of the party until I suddenly need to go home, eat cheese, and stare into the void for three hours. I love people deeply, but in small, manageable doses — like espresso shots. Too much at once, and I jitter.

3. I’m Witty, Clever, and Probably Funnier Than I Give Myself Credit For.

You want a clever comeback? I’ve got it. Need a laugh in the middle of a meltdown? I'm your girl. I dish out sarcasm like it's hors d'oeuvres at a fancy party, but I know when to turn it off and be real. Being fun to be around isn’t just about cracking jokes — it’s about making people feel safe enough to laugh.

4. I’ve Got a Wild Sense of Adventure.

I’ve said “why not” to things I probably had no business doing — cooking Thai food from scratch, hiking trails with questionable signage, agreeing to spontaneous road trips with friends who can't navigate. But I show up. I try things. I say yes, even when my inner grandma wants to stay home in fuzzy socks. Life’s too short not to be curious.

5. I Love Music Like It’s a Second Language.

There are days I clean the house like I’m in an Eminem music video. Other days, I’m sipping rose on the deck with Johnny Cash narrating my thoughts. Sometimes the Rat Pack croons in the background. My playlists are emotionally unstable, and that’s exactly how I like it. Music always meets me where I am.

6. I Can Cook. And I Actually Like It.

Cooking is my love language with garlic breath. I’ll try anything once: Ethiopian, Korean, weird Pinterest recipes that look better in the photo than on my plate. It’s an experiment every time, and I don’t even get mad when it goes sideways. OK, maybe a little. But I just pour a glass of wine and try again.

7. I Finally Like Myself.

It took years. I believed lies fed to me by people who only loved the version of me they could control; but, I clawed my way back. I chased healing like it owed me money. Now, I’m grounded in my own worth. I’ve become the version of me I needed when I was younger, and damn, she’s beautiful.

8. I’m a Ride-or-Die Friend.

Need help burying a body? Kidding - (Mostly). If you call me at 3 a.m. because your world is falling apart, I’ll be there — no judgment, no questions, just love and snacks. I’ve been the one people lean on, cry to, laugh with. I don’t take that lightly. It’s a quiet kind of honor.

9. I’m a Virgo Who’s Made Peace with the Mess.

I used to chase perfection like a Pitbull after bacon . Now? I celebrate the chaos. My spice rack isn’t alphabetized. Sometimes I miss a deadline. I’ve embraced the beautiful disaster that is life, and I’ve learned to laugh when things spill, break, or go wildly off-script.

10. I Love My Family More Than Words

My mom is my best friend, my cheerleader, and my favorite human to chat with. My daughters are glitter explosions in human form. They remind me that creativity is survival and laughter is everything. Even when they’re arguing about wearing pants on Crazy Dress-Up Day (spoiler: pants are non-negotiable), they light up my life in ways I never imagined.

I've learned that self-love, for me, isn’t loud. It’s not a flashing sign or a viral Instagram post. It’s quiet moments of choosing yourself, celebrating your weird, and honoring the journey that got you here. So here I am: poet, empath, music junkie, garlic-loving chaos witch, and mom who sometimes bribes her kids with snacks. And I love her. Every messy, magical bit.