Lacking Self Love, But At Least I Have You…

• Ellie Amamangpang, Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2022

You know they say you should love yourself before you love others. But I personally think that statement is wrong. I have highly despised myself ever since I took a glance at my reflection. Nothing about me ever seemed enough. I wanted to love myself like how the moon loves the earth, I wanted to feel joy in my skin like when you feel the warm sand between your toes. And when I met you I forgot about all the hatred I felt for myself. You saw something in me and to me that’s all that mattered. I’m learning how to love myself, self hate is an awful thing, it’s not something to be proud of nor something you can just “get passed” in life. It will be difficult and I don’t quite know how I will do it. But the one thing I do know is that I loved you before me and I know maybe it’s not the best choice but when I have you by my side I know that’s the best decision I ever made.