Living in a digital world, we evolve to accept digital transformation into our lives. Do you remember when you first get your mobile phone? How old were you?

I remember mine vividly! I was in middle school, and it was a hand-me-down from my sister (no complaint here). Back then, it was not a camera phone. A decade and a half later, almost all existing phones are equipped with a camera! Today’s mobile phones give us the luxury to capture moments of our lives to share on social media (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

It is hard not to compare our lives to others……. But is what we see real? Are those couples happy? Are they that rich? How are they so free and young? These are some questions that we might be asking ourselves inside our heads when we scroll our Instagram at midnight or midday. What we see causes us to question our own well-being and existence. Are we doing this right? Will I ever be that happy?

Stop!!! Stop right there! Social media is supposed to be a platform where we could be sharing information, moments, and news, not a platform where we start to doubt ourselves, our abilities, our happiness. One must be content with one’s self and existence. 

But how to do so? Self-love and acceptance are the keys. Here are some tips you can apply self-love and acceptance into your life:

1. Embrace what you have – treasure what you have in your life. If you have a job that pays you just enough to stay afloat, that is great! 
2. Embrace who you are – self-confidence is the key to embracing your true self. Do not feel you are not pretty enough or skinny enough. Know that you are loved.
3. Forgive yourself – whatever past mistakes you’ve made, let go and forgive. Learn how to be better than you were yesterday. Let go of things that you cannot change. The sooner you accept it, the sooner you can be free of the guilt. It is important to apologize to others, too. 
4. Identify your strengths – focus on what your strengths are instead of your weaknesses. That is how you grow. 
5. Be kind to yourself! There are times you must put yourself above others. Treat yourself to something nice, a little expensive, or traveling. You can’t really love another until you love yourself.

Learn to be grateful, appreciative. Others would die for what you have today. What you have today is what you prayed for.