I know that sounds harsh, but hear me out. I think a lot of us have this backwards idea that we’re supposed to wait until we feel better to start treating ourselves well.

“I’ll dress nicer when I lose weight.”

“I’ll take better care of myself when I’m more confident.”

“I’ll start working out when I’m more motivated.”

“I’ll buy clothes I love when my body looks different.”

But… why?

Why do we act like care is some kind of reward we earn after we become the “right” version of ourselves?

I’ve always hated when people make comments like, “Where are you going?” just because I’m wearing a nice dress.

Like apparently putting on a flowy, whimsical dress and a little lipstick means I must have somewhere important to be.

Nope.

I’m literally just existing.

I don’t always wear makeup. I’m not walking around with a full face every day. But most days, you’ll probably find me in something I genuinely love wearing: a romantic dress, something flowy, a little gloss or lipstick, and probably a little too much perfume.

Not because I’m trying to impress anyone, but because I deserve to enjoy my own life.

And that has stayed true through every version of my body.

My weight has fluctuated because I have PCOS, but I’ve never believed that I needed to wait for my body to change before I could treat myself with kindness. I’ve always tried to talk to myself the way I would talk to someone I love.

Because honestly, why would I give everyone else more patience and compassion than I give myself?

I think this applies to everything.

You don’t start taking care of yourself because you finally feel amazing.

You start taking care of yourself because you’re a human being who deserves care now.

If you only buy clothes you hate wearing, if you’re constantly putting on things that make you feel sloppy and disconnected from yourself, yeah, there’s a good chance that affects how you feel.

And no, I’m not saying everyone needs to wear dresses or spend money on a new wardrobe. That’s not the point.

The point is: your environment matters.

The way you speak to yourself matters.

The things you put into your body matter.

If you’re eating food that makes you feel exhausted every single day, it’s probably not shocking that you feel exhausted.

I’m not the health police. I’m not here to tell anyone they can never eat fries or have a sweet treat. I absolutely still enjoy things I love. I’ll occasionally have a crisp, Diet Coke. I’ll even randomly have fries from McDonald’s every once in a while (but personally, I’m skipping their meat, but that’s just me).

Life is meant to be lived, and enjoyed.

But there’s a difference between enjoying something and living in a way that makes you feel like shit.

I think sometimes we underestimate how much the little things add up.

Wearing something you love.

Putting on your favorite lipstick.

Wearing the sexy lingerie (or boxers) on a random Monday.

Making yourself a decent meal.

Taking a walk.

Speaking to yourself like you actually matter.

None of these things magically fix your life. But they send a message. A message that says: “I’m worth taking care of.”

And maybe that’s where a lot of us need to start, because are we not deserving of the best?

Love you, bestie.