You can like the person you are today

Liking yourself isn’t a speech. It’s a small yes. Yes to the way you laughed once today. Yes to the fact that you got up. Yes to the quiet person who didn’t send the mean message.

You keep saving your affection for a later version — thinner, calmer, richer, healed. Dawn doesn’t wait for a better coastline. It arrives around the rocks as they’re.

You can like someone and still want to grow. Parents do this. Friends do this. You’re allowed to do it for you.

Try it without a list of improvements attached. Just: I can stand this person. I can sit with them. I can wish them a gentle night.