Since my focus is certainly elsewhere today, I thought it would be a good time to share some of the kindness that’s come my way because of this blog. Feeling the year-mark quickly approaching, I know I’m not the only one who has spent the last 12 months working hard to love themselves. How can I be sure?
Because you’ve all told me.
I’m so glad and thankful that my long-lost friends and readers feel comfortable sharing their stories with me, along with their struggles and their successes. While this blog started out to be for me, it quickly turned into an outlet for so many women (and men!) around the world who battle feelings of self-worth and the constant yearn for life-altering love. Nah, we’re not technically love addicts, but we are all rather normal. It’s natural to want the things we do, but hopefully through this space and through working out your own troubles in your own way, you’ve been able to find that inner peace that I have.
I won’t list them all but here a few of the messages I’ve received that brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for the encouragement and I’m so proud of each of you. I hope long after this blog is over, you’ll remember how wonderful, special, and beautiful you are. And please, don’t ever let the relationship you have with yourself take low priority. Without loving yourself, you’ll never be loved or love in a way that’s healthy. It’s a life-long journey, a relationship you should always work to nurture and mature. But if you’re ever in doubt about how great you are, just remember there is someone out there who already thinks you are amazing. Thanks for making me feel that way this whole year!
” I’ve been keeping up with your blog, and I have to say that it really has been helping me out. I went through a very, very, hard breakup at the end of the summer and although I’m still struggling with some aspects of the relationship, I can see it was for the best. I finally feel FREE to do what I want to do. I have no ties, and for the first time, I can truly concentrate on what I am supposed to do with my life and figure out who I am and what my purpose is in this big old world. So really, I want to thank you – your blog came around at just the right time.”
“Today is my anniversary with myself. The past year has been one more rollercoaster ride. The day I moved to Anonymous Town my car broke down, I didn’t know anyone here, so I had to rely on myself and the kindness of strangers. I’ve had to find a job, twice. Successfully made it through a year of grad school. I’ve laughed, cried, and been through every emotion possible…BUT I did it!!! You started writing your blog about the same time I moved to Anonymous Town, and you truly were an inspiration to me. I was really struggling at first, and you helped motivate me to discover my city and find peace with myself. It’s been a year later and I couldn’t be happier. So in honor of my anniversary, I bought myself a massage (thank you Groupon) and a bottle of wine. I plan on celebrating my independence, hardships, successes, and the person I’ve become.”
” I know it’s been a while, but I really just wanted to let you know how much I LOVE your writing! I find myself constantly reading your blog & just wanted to drop a line to let you know how much of a blessing it is in my life!”
“I was going to check my own blog today when I stumbled across yours and was blown away. I couldn’t help but start to go back and read past blog posts because your insights and honesty is astounding. And I think there’s a reason I came across your blog today because I’ve been struggling to love myself recently and have discovered that my life is suffering in every way because of it. So, thank you. Thank you for putting it out there that it not only is OK to be single, but it can be great too. And that loving myself is where I can truly find happiness.”
“I really identified with your blog today. It came to me at a time which I think is rather appropriate: fresh college grad, newly single (thats false, its been nine months), traveling the world and doing some quick n dirty soul searching. My dating story closely mirrors yours in the sense that I become someone else when I date…always unsure of myself…never wanting to offend…sickeningly sweet…that constant desire to be his (whoever HE is at that moment in time) something perfect. And the scary thing is this: Im a really good pretender. I never know if Im happy or not until the epic fail of a relationship, then I can look back at all the broken pieces and say, Oh yeah, hey, Ive been pretty miserable lately…huh…One thing Im certain of is my decision to be single right now! I think so anyway…”
“Thanks for sharing your story. It’s funny, I read the entry where you mention the “Language of Letting Go” and happened upon the site for its daily thought. It was EXACTLY what I needed to hear on the day I needed to hear it. I’m buying the book today and hope it will inspire me to love myself and stop stressing over men who weren’t THE ONE. So thank you…and I’m not quite sure where I land on the fate question, but sometimes you find what you need when you aren’t expecting it.”
“Lindsay! I just found your blog the day it was on the wordpress homepage, started reading and was immediately hooked! I subscribed so now I eagerly look forward to the candy-like email each day you post! You’re slowly saving my life, I think, for I too, am a single, self conscious, sometimes confused, frustrated, etc etc girl, wrestling with many of the same issues you seem to be conquering and giving me hope to face. So, from your newest biggest fan, I thank you for being courageous, and for choosing to share it with people like me who need it!”
“I recently went through like the 5th breakup of a very tumultuous relationship and your blog has inspired me to start writing out my feelings better and try to see the siilver lining of everything. ”
“I came across the site on the WordPress dashboard a few weeks ago and have been following along for awhile. Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know I enjoy the site and admire what you’re doing, especially in terms of synchronizing a bunch of different media. Also, I do enjoy reading the blog from a guy’s perspective. It’s always easy to get caught up in worrying about the way our side of the equation works without considering how the fairer gender sees them. ”
“I love your blog, I read it everyday. It is exactly what I needed at this point in my life! I am on the same boat as you… glad someone can write about it!”
“I wanted to let you know what I think. I came across your blog on, the holiest of holy, facebook and decided to venture through it. I think what you are doing for women is amazing because there are many out there who have the same addiction as you but refuse to realize what it is doing to their lives. I am not here to preach that every man is a good one because I am the biggest skeptic of men than any girl I have ever met. Reading through your blog it came to me that many men out there also suffer from this addiction. They can not come out and say it because that would make them feel like less of a man, in societies outlook. I believe you will help thousands with what you are doing but I also believe that you can help men as well.”
” Somehow you manage to portray the feelings of every single girl I know at the same time regardless of how different our outlooks on life and relationships are. I heard about your blog from a friend who thought it would help me get over a recent break-up and have since shared it’s wonder with several friends in different stages of life and love. We all find comfort in your words and, like you, feel we aren’t alone in our journey to self-love when reading your posts. So, even though you don’t know me and probably never will; I wanted to say thanks for somehow finding a way to put my thoughts and emotions in print when I don’t even know what I’m feeling!”
“A few of my friends recently introduced me to your blog. It is so wonderful and I love the new posts each day. Although I’m from the Midwest I hope of making it to the city one day soon as I have always dreamed of living there. Your posts are inspiring and insightful and pretty much what I think about most of your topics.”
PS: Have a question for me? Want to know anything about my life/advice from my adventures in dating? Before September 19, I’ll publish a post answering all of your questions. Email me, Tweet me, Tumble me, or Facebook me. Or you can comment below!
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