Do you ever stop to wonder “What would I do without myself?” Probably not, right. But without ourselves we are literally nothing.

Far too often I find that I am letting myself down. I allow negative thoughts to creep in, I allow negative people in my life. No one can stop this but me.

Friends and family tell me “You deserve better,” “You’re amazing, keep up the great work.” Yet I can’t seem to get past that and accept myself 100% for who I am.

Things have happened in my life recently that are far too private to post here (for the sake of my privacy and those involved), but they weren’t fun. They made me unhappy and they made me realize where I stand with myself and with others.

Then I realized that there is nothing that can be done about this situation unless I trust in myself – I am strong, I am a hard worker, I am resilient – I have picked myself up and risen from the ashes of a few very tough years in my late 20’s and I cannot let that progress slide away.

I am not going to let recent events, or past events for that matter, define who I am right now. They are part of my life and they have shaped me, but they won’t bring me down. Starting right this very moment it’s out with the negativity, out with the doubt, out with the low self esteem and letting others bring me down.

I am…

…a daughter

…a sister

…a marathon runner

…a personal trainer

…a writer

…a great friend

and most importantly

I AM ME