How I'm Learning to Hold Myself With Love (Even on the Hard Days)

Showing up for myself, softly and honestly.

There are days when I feel like I’m doing okay—days where I move through life with a little more ease. But then there are the hard days. The ones where I feel small, overwhelmed, or lost in the noise of my own thoughts. The kind of days where it’s hard to even like myself, let alone love myself.

For a long time, I used to criticize myself for these moments. I’d say things like, “You should be stronger,” or “Why are you still struggling with this?” But lately, I’ve been learning that the real healing comes when I soften. When I stop trying to force myself out of the hard feelings and instead, learn to meet myself in them—with love.

Holding myself with love doesn’t always look graceful. Sometimes it means crying in the shower or curling up under a blanket and letting the world wait. Other times it’s choosing a nourishing meal over skipping dinner, or writing in my journal instead of scrolling on my phone.

I’m realizing that love—real love—isn’t just for the days I feel bright and put together. It’s for the messy days too. The teary ones. The quiet, aching, uncertain ones. Especially those.

What Holding Myself With Love Looks Like Right Now:

• Speaking kindly to myself, even when I mess up

• Letting myself rest, without guilt

• Eating when I’m hungry, not when it’s “time”

• Making space for my emotions, not judging them

• Asking for support, even if my voice shakes

• Celebrating little wins, no matter how small

• Forgiving myself for what I didn’t know before

I’m learning that love isn’t something I have to earn. It’s something I can choose to give myself, again and again.

Even on the hard days.

Especially on the hard days.

If you’re reading this and having one of those days too, I want you to know you’re not alone. You’re still worthy. You’re still enough. And you deserve to be held—with tenderness, with patience, and with love.

If you’re having a hard day today, I want you to pause for a moment and check in with yourself:

• What is one kind thing you can say to yourself right now?

• Is there a small way you can hold yourself gently today?

• What does self-love look like for you in this moment?

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share your thoughts or little self-love rituals in the comments below — or just say hi and let me know you’re here. We’re walking this journey together, one soft step at a time.

Remember, you are enough, just as you are.

Blessed Be,

Bobbi Ann

Softly learning, slowly blooming