How to Love Yourself (A Different Way)

To preface this post, I need to introduce the most beautiful song/music video combo I’ve experienced all year. The first few times I heard this song, I thought about future bae and how I’d aim to love with my whole heart. While I was humming the song to myself this evening, I thought up a new perspective that really excited me.

Please listen to the song A Different Way by DJ Snake & Lauv.

To me, the red balloon in the video represents the little boy’s love — a love that he’s proud to share with the world.

This evening, I imaged singing the words to my childhood self.

Even a broken heart can beat again
Forget about the one who caused you pain
I swear I’ll love you in a different way

I grew up without a father, and thought about how I would be a phenomenal father if I’m blessed with that opportunity. I would love my children in a different way.

When I was 9 years old, I went through a very traumatic event that changed my life forever (maybe I’ll share that story in a future blog post). Whenever I think about vulnerability and weakness, the moments of that event are a constant. Thankfully I’ve moved past that pain in…