"Look at yourself in the mirror every day and tell yourself (some affirmation)." "You should learn to love yourself first." These are a couple of the comments people have told me in the past. The thing is, the people who said this to me did not struggle with the same self-esteem issues I had. It's easy to say these things, but it is one hundred times more difficult to believe in them wholeheartedly. I would know, I tried it. I just could not seem to believe that I loved myself at all. But as time passed and others around me were blooming into vibrant blossoms, I was still beneath them. I was the dull bud, who had yet to bloom. In the shadow of others is when I realized why I had self-esteem issues. It was not because I thought I was not enough, it was because I was afraid of being myself. I was afraid that being my true self would lead to loneliness. But in reality, it was the complete opposite. I realized that being myself made me happy and confident. So I kept breaking down my walls, brick by brick until all that was left was me. The real me that I love so much. I love that I pay no mind to the negativity I face. I love that I am a free spirit who only wants to help others feel happy. I love that I can empathize with people and offer a shoulder when they need it. I love that I can be the person that I could not be in the past. I love myself and who I am because I learned to overcome my fear of being me. And now my true colors finally shine under the sun.