We Are All Enough, I Promise

You are your own toughest critic, although sometimes that leads you to doing wonderful things, it can also hold you back from seeing the beauty in your own soul. It’s time to alter your perspective and start acknowledging the value in who you are, flaws and all.

Think about the list of all the amazing qualities you contain.. You are a person who doesn’t quit, pushes for success and recovers from failure. There is no doubt that you look at the world in a unique way, so you can do things to positively impact people’s lives. These attributes should be praised rather than always looking for fault in them.

In case you forgot, nobody is perfect. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and that is what shaped me and you to be human. Embrace your imperfections because they are what make you one of a kind. Instead of focusing on merely what you perceive as shortcomings, applaud your achievements and strengths.

Take a break and reflect on your accomplishments. You’ve overcome obstacles, pushed through challenges, and grown significantly in ways you don’t even realize. That is something to be proud of, admired, and respected. You are capable and have done incredible things and you continue to do it every day.

One final thing that impacts your respect levels of yourself is the people you surround yourself with. You might not even realize it, but you’re closest friends constantly commenting about what you’re wearing or how you’re acting or whatever it might be impacts how you see yourself and can often make you harder on yourself. You deserve to be around people who don’t make you feel bad about yourself, who instead light up your life rather than dimming it down and who see the best in you.

So, I urge you to be kinder to yourself. Treat yourself with the same kindness and care as you would for a friend in need. Cut yourself some slack, celebrate your success and your failure because everytime you fail you are one step closer to success!

In the end, the most fragile and important relationship you’ll ever have is the one you share with that person in the mirror; you. So love yourself greatly, believe in yourself with all you’ve got and never forget that you are enough, just as you are.

Lyla Belliveau Wood is a local youth who loves writing more than food.