Journey 101: self-doubt to self- love



Real self-care to me is so much more than just the bubble baths, face masks, or the pretty pink aesthetics we see all over the internet. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the pretty images, scented candles, and the Instagram-worthy skincare routines—but it’s really much, much more than that.

It’s the emotions and feelings it evokes in us, and the positive impact it has on our lives. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a lover of everything pretty and aesthetic (especially in pink), so I’m not trying to undermine the physical self-care practices like skincare.

In fact, my whole self-love journey began with just two things— a budget facial cleansing soap and an affordable vitamin C serum!

As a student who didn’t have a stable source of income at the time, I started with the very basics and what I could afford. Thanks to the wealth of knowledge from the internet, I was able to pick out really affordable products that addressed my specific skin concerns.

The results made me so happy, and I began to see myself in a new light—yes, just that was all it took to start my self-love journey and bring me to where I am today.

To us, it might seem like we need that big, huge experience to gain our self-esteem and confidence, but in reality, it absolutely isn’t! It’s the small things, plus my very good companion—Words of Affirmation.

Words of affirmation is the best thing we don’t talk about enough. Hearing it from others will never be enough; it will never make us feel enough, until we sit ourselves down one day, look into the mirror, identify our little perfect imperfections, and tell them, “I accept you just the way you are.”

The process is to speak to yourself as if you’re speaking to a friend—your best friend. It evokes so much emotion—because it really did for me. I cried, and when I was done, I practically and literally gave myself a hug because deep down, she (I) deserved it.

Going through my feelings and never feeling enough has a way of putting a subconscious strain on our physical vessel.

We need to be our own cheerleader—our own bestie. Whatever we know we can’t bear to say to a very good friend, we shouldn’t be saying it to ourselves.

We hear it all the time—but really—the very first step is love. Treating ourselves—our vessel—with love. Spoiling her even on the good days and bad days, like she’s the most precious thing ever—because she is!

It’s the words we speak to ourselves, the way we respond to people and situations, and the things we do to ourselves that are the greatest and the realest self-care.

I’d love to know the practical and real ways you show absolute love to yourself on your worst days! If you loved this post, do leave a 💓—let’s engage in the comments!

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