we made it here & I love you still.

My journey to truly say 'I love you still' to myself has been anything but linear. There were so many times I felt small and trembling, overwhelmed by burdens that felt too heavy, burdens I now realize were never truly mine to carry. For years, I mistook survival for failure, believing that just getting through the day wasn't enough. That silence meant weakness, and tears were a sign of shame. If any of this resonates with you, know that you're not alone. One of the most profound shifts happened when I began to practice genuine self-forgiveness. It's easy to look back at past choices with judgment, especially those 'made with half-lit maps' – when you simply didn't know better. I used to beat myself up for the love I gave away too freely, or for the emotional walls I built too high to protect myself. But what I've learned is that we were all doing the best we could with the broken pieces we were handed at the time. There's no instruction manual for life, and every misstep was a lesson, not a condemnation. Gathering your strength isn't about ignoring your pain, but embracing it. It's about looking at every scar, not as a flaw, but as a testament to your resilience. These scars are proof you survived. They are stories of battles won, even if those battles were internal. I remember a period where I felt like a completely 'different one' than the person I used to be, and for a long time, I fought against that change. But ultimately, accepting that transformation, accepting the 'different one' I had become, was crucial for my healing. It allowed me to open my arms wide, to myself, with no judgment, no anger. Now, when I look in the mirror, I don't just see a reflection; I see a woman who has endured. An 'imagen de mujer' that encompasses both vulnerability and immense power. I see someone who has learned to fall in love with herself again and again, not just on good days, but every single day. This isn't a one-time event; it's a continuous practice of kindness, understanding, and unwavering support for the person you are, right now. If you're struggling to find that unconditional 'I love you' for yourself, start small. Forgive yourself for one past regret. Acknowledge one small victory. Remind yourself that you made it here, through everything. The journey of self-love is ongoing, but it's the most worthwhile journey you'll ever embark on. We are here, we are resilient, and we are loved – especially by ourselves.