The most underappreciated person in the world is, surprisingly, the one closest to you. The one who wakes up with you every morning and faces the mirror with you. The one who has stood by you through every heartbreak, failure, and sleepless night. The one who didn’t walk away—through rainstorms, bad days, and rock-bottom moments. That person is you. I didn’t realize it for the longest time. Like many people, I’ve had moments when I judged my capabilities, doubted my worth, and threw every negative thought I could muster at myself. I became my own harshest critic. I was cruel—to me. It was always easier to be kind to others. To forgive them. To do favors, show compassion, and even sacrifice for their sake. But when it came to myself? Believing in me was the hardest thing to do. One day, someone asked me a simple but powerful question: “What advice would you give yourself?” And I couldn’t answer. I was stunned—not because I didn’t have anything to say, but because I realized I had spent so much time tearing myself down that I couldn’t even imagine building myself back up. In that moment, it hit me: Out of everyone who’s ever judged me, I have been my worst enemy. I’ve never truly complimented myself. Never accepted the good things people said about me. And worst of all, I never thanked myself. But I should have. Because I’ve survived so many things on my own. I’ve made hard choices. I’ve fought silent battles. I’ve been there for me, even when no one else was. I chose life when it felt easier to give up. I held on to myself more than anyone else ever could. So this is me, writing the words I never said out loud: Thank you, self. For staying. For trying. For not giving up. Because if I hadn’t… I wouldn’t be here writing this.