If ever there was a time when I needed a bit of a pick me up, it would be now.

When it comes to being nice to myself, complimenting myself, or the worst, trying to choose a photo of myself, I struggle. I truly, truly struggle. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I hate myself, but I know that I’m far from perfect, and I definitely have gone through periods of being extremely grumpy with myself. Lately has been one of those times, where I take stock of my current life position and get a little frustrated by my lack of self control and bad decisions.

Thus, it’s time to get back into my own good graces and remind myself that I’m not all bad. I’m going to time how long this post takes me, cause I expect that writing 12 things is going to be tough. Starting time is 10.08pm (I suspect I’ll be scheduling this post for tomorrow too, in case the times don”t make sense based on when I post this). OK, here goes:

Thing no. 1: I have a good sense of humour

Only because I’m always laughing… Thankfully I’m not always laughing by myself, which means I’m not totally insane, but I like to think that I find all the right things funny. On my first date with C we went to the movies and saw the Hangover 2, and he later confessed he was really worried that I might be the type of girl that is super serious and wouldn’t enjoy it. When he saw that I was laughing harder at the funny bits than he was, he said he relaxed a lot. Couldn’t do that if I didn’t have a good sense of humour, right?

Thing no. 2: I’m incredibly loyal

Once I consider you a good mate, I have your back. I’ll be there at any time you need, and I’ll be there when you call. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure you’re OK, and even if it means we’re going to get into a fight with other people (after which I will absolutely kick your ass myself for getting me into a fight) I’ll be there. I’ll stand up for you when you need it, and will be there through thick and thin. It takes a lot before I will finally cut you out of my life, and once you’re out it’s going to take you a long time to get back in. If ever. I like that I am loyal, and stick to my guns (but I won’t list being stubborn as a good thing, cause that’s not always the case).

Hmm…I’m only 2 down and I’m already having to rack my brain. This is going to be tough.

Thing no. 3: I’m energetic

I like the fact that I’m the kind of person that will get out and give things a go. I like that I don’t spend my days sitting on the couch letting the day pass me by. I’m going to have a lot of stories to pass on one day, and you can’t do that if you spend each day on a seat in the living room. BORING.

Thing no. 4: I’m passionate

Disclaimer here. When I get excited about something, I get super super passionate. But that doesn’t always mean I’ll see it through I’m terrible at finishing things, but I shouldn’t really be negative here (things I hate about myself can come in a separate post).! I like that when I get excited about something, I get REALLY excited about something. No half assed emotions here!

  8 more to go? Goddammit.

Thing no. 5: I’m eccentric

I find the most random things funny, and will make jokes about the strangest things. But I like that! It means I’m not the same as everybody else, and more often than not it will also bring a smile to someone else’s face, and that’s a great thing. If you’re into all that star sign nonsense, apparently this is a trait of Aquarians (of which I am one). So there ya go.

Thing no. 6: I’m not high maintenance

I love love love the fact that I’m not high maintenance. I don’t have thousands of dollars worth of makeup or shoes or dresses anywhere to be found. I live for my denim jeans, singlets and hoodies. In my cupboard there is one dress, which I recently put on and decided I hated. It’s going to be donated to charity soon. I don’t spend hours in front of the mirror getting ready, and will happily go out without wearing makeup (though I can spend the time if a special occasion calls for it). I don’t make extravagant demands to C, and will happily take a good hug and a kiss over flowers and chocolates any day. I can play in the mud, get dirty and not cry, and I can break a nail without thinking the world is ending. I like that I’m easy going in this way.

Thing no. 7: I love that I enjoy music

I wouldn’t say I’m close minded when it comes to music, although my sister would disagree about Lady Gaga (give up sister – I’m never going to enjoy her music). Music is such a massive part of my life, and I love that I possess the ability to lose myself in a song. I am sad for the people that are too shallow to really understand what the art is all about. Now if only I could play my guitar and actually make music myself…

Thing no. 8: I volunteer my time and resources

I regularly participate in crowd care at music festivals, and just recently I donated time raising money for my lifesaving club. Every 3 weeks you will find me on the beach on patrol. I donate blood. I donate monthly to a charity that raises money for doctors going to remote locations. I am not one of those people that will turn a blind eye and think my life is more important than someone else’s (though I have my limits too, like everyone else). For two full days I went and helped someone (whom I now call a friend) after his house was destroyed in the awful floods that hit Brisbane earlier this year despite never having met him in real life.  I like that I’m willing to get in and give someone a hand, and volunteer when help is needed.

4 to go….I can do this.

Umm…umm…

Thing no. 9: I like that when I get nervous I talk more.

If you had the choice between going quiet or talking more when your nervous, what would you choose? I would prefer to talk more, because it means there’s conversation happening, and a chance to eventually lose that awkward feeling. It worked when I first met C!

Thing no. 10: I like that I don’t let people pay my way for me

This could also be considered stubborn, but I don’t like handouts. I don’t like people paying for me, and will usually ask to split it or I will try to pay for it all. It’s a matter of pride, and I”m proud to say that I don’t rely on anyone to pay my way through for me.

Thing no. 11: I like my smile

Finally a physical one hey? As much as I hate the camera, I do like my smile in some photos. I have moments where I think my smile really does reflect my happiness, and I like that. Ewww…enough talking about my physical appearance, getting uncomfortable now.

Far out, only ONE more to go and I’m seriously struggling. This was hard! Ooh! I know!

Thing no. 12: I like my eyes

Ok, so I thought of another physical one. I love the colour of my eyes. They’re classed as hazel, and are basically a light green with red/brown streaks coming out from the centre. You can sort of see the colour in this picture here:

So there we go! Finishing time is 10.48pm, so it took 40mins exactly for me to write that list. I once asked someone to list 12 things about himself that he liked, and he listed them out in a matter of seconds. One day I would like to reach that level of self confidence, where I can be proud of myself and know exactly what I love about myself, rather than spending 40mins trying to come up with a list. I guess whenever I start having a moment of self-doubt I can always look back on this post.

Do you think you could list 12 things immediately that you like about yourself? Give it a try in the comments below!