LOH #216 LEARNING TO LOVE THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR

If you follow me closely, then you probably already know one thing about me — people often see me as this confident, put-together person who always seems to have it all figured out. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard someone say, I love your confidence, or You carry yourself so well.

And every time I hear that, I smile. I say thank you. But deep down, I whisper to myself, If only you knew.

Because the truth is — I’ve been battling with low self-esteem for the longest time. I’ve always felt like I’m not enough. Not talented enough. Not pretty enough. Not interesting enough. Just… not enough.

It’s strange how the world can see one version of you, while inside, you’re quietly fighting a different battle. People see your light, but they don’t always notice the shadows you live with.

This feeling — this constant doubt — has limited me in so many ways. There are things I’ve wanted to try but didn’t because I convinced myself I’d fail. Opportunities I ignored because I thought someone else would do it better. Moments I should’ve spoken up but stayed silent because I believed my words didn’t matter.

And yet, the irony is that so many people around me believe in me. They compliment my writing. They tell me I inspire them. They call me beautiful, strong, and confident. Sometimes I want to ask them, What do you see that I don’t?

Because no matter how much love and validation I receive, I still struggle to love myself the way others do. It’s not pride. It’s just that little voice in my head that won’t stop whispering, You’re not enough.

But lately, I’ve made a decision — a quiet, powerful one.
I’m learning to silence that voice.

I’m learning to focus on my strengths instead of magnifying my flaws. I’m learning that it’s okay to be imperfect, that growth doesn’t mean perfection. I’m learning that confidence isn’t about always feeling good enough — it’s about showing up even when you don’t.

I’ve started celebrating my small wins — writing a good paragraph, sharing a post even when I’m scared it won’t be “perfect,” looking in the mirror and choosing to say, “You’re beautiful today,” even if I don’t completely believe it yet.

Because that’s the journey — from doubting yourself to slowly believing in yourself again. It’s not a straight road. Some days you feel unstoppable, and other days you question everything. But the key is to keep choosing you, even on the hard days.

I want to become that girl who doesn’t just look confident, but feels it.
The girl who loves her flaws because they make her real.
The girl who no longer compares herself to others, but claps for them while still rooting for herself.
The girl who finally accepts that she is enough — not because people say so, but because she finally knows it for herself.

I’m not there yet, but I’m getting closer every day.

And maybe, just maybe, someone reading this needs to hear it too:
You are enough. You’ve always been. You don’t need to shrink to fit in or change to be accepted. You only need to see yourself through the eyes of love — your own love.

I’m learning to accept me, just as I am — and honestly, it’s the most freeing thing I’ve ever done.