And maybe that self-affirmation makes all the difference.

When was the last time you looked at yourself and said, “I’m proud of you”?
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Tonight I went on a run and when I got ready to take a shower, I took a moment to look at myself—my windblown hair, tired eyes, blemished face, rosy cheeks—but instead of thinking about all the imperfections, the mess, the things I wanted to change, I simply said aloud, “I’m worthy.” And that statement made me want to laugh and cry simultaneously.

In my life, I’ve always cared about acceptance. I’ve always wanted to be loved and valued, to make the people around me proud. I’ve always ran three hundred miles an hour, trying to absorb and learn and grow and change and follow my dreams—and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing—but I never learned how to slow down.

I was always searching for pride everywhere else but within myself.

But the truth is, I am worthy. We are all worthy. Even when we mess up. Even when our lives are crazy. Even when we haven’t reached the bottom of our to-do lists or found someone to share our hearts with.

Sometimes I get so caught up in what I haven’t done, what I’m headed towards, what I still need that I forget to look at myself and smile. I come home from a twelve-hour work day, from waking up at 4am, from talking to people and writing and creating and then going on a three mile run—and I forget to simply say, “Wow. You’re doing so much. I’m proud of you."