Everything in this world is so complicated. Especially when it comes to human emotions. We’re all hustling and showering others with affection but we almost always forget to give ourselves the love we deserve. Somewhere on the priority list, we let ourselves slip so low while being preoccupied with other people that it becomes almost unhealthy.

The Artidote is on a mission to change that. The founder, Jovanny Varela-Ferreyra, says that it is  a project that is helping people with their depression, anxiety, heartaches and life aches. We couldn’t agree more because with every post, the readers find motivation to embrace themselves. It is a community effort where writing and art comes together to heal the tired soul.

Here are 18 of the most profound posts that will encourage you to love yourself the way you love others:

1. “Self care isn’t always pretty, it’s not always candles and a bathtub full of roses, sometimes it’s forcing yourself to get out of bed and dragging yourself…

Sometimes it’s the pep talk you give to yourself or the quick cry in the corner. Sometimes it is convincing yourself to do all these things you should be doing but you have no will whatsoever, sometimes it’s cutting some ties no matter how precious they were, sometimes it’s the bitter medicine you need to give yourself.

Self care isn’t always pretty but it’s so worth it.”

—Kriti.G

b’artwork by James Chia Han Lee’

2. “Personal growth becomes so addictive once you realize that it’s always possible to improve your experience of being.” 

—Xan Oku

b’artwork by Kate Louise Powell’

3. “There is literally nothing in nature that blooms all year long, so do not expect yourself to do so.” 

—liryae 

b’photo by Efra Mehan + Davut Toy’

4. “I began to wonder what life would be like if I dropped the act and began to trust that being myself would be enough to get the love I needed.” 

—Donald Miller, Scary Close

b’artwork by Graeme McCormack’

5. “Self care is not a reward for being responsible or for working hard. you don’t ‘deserve’ or ‘not deserve’ to be nice to yourself.

You are an alive person and rather than thinking of self care as incentives or bonuses you can get by adhering to and succeeding at abled standards (at a detriment to your health), you can think of it as:

making deposits of self esteem by caring for yourself and allowing yourself nice things and feelings.

You don’t have to deplete yourself to EMPTY before filling yourself back up again. you can do nice things for yourself before you hit the bottom.” 

—elvendork

b’artwork by Taj Francis’

6. “But here’s a little secret for you: no one is ever the same thing again after anything. 

You are never the same twice, and much of your unhappiness comes from trying to pretend that you are. Accept that you are different each day, and do so joyfully, recognizing it for the gift it is. Work within the desires and goals of the person you are currently, until you aren’t that person anymore, and everything changes once again.” 

-Welcome to Night Vale: Episode 75 

b’artwork by controlled khaos’

7. “Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience life in the way they have been told to.” 

—Alan Knightley

b’artwork by Carolina Rodrxc3xadguez Fuenmayor’

8. “You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you, and allowing that goodness to emerge.” 

—Eckhart Tolle

b’artwork by Helena Vxc3xb3lkova’

9. “The most important day is the day you decide you’re good enough for you. It’s the day you set yourself free.” 

—Brittany Josephina

b’paintings by Winston Chmielinski’

10. “I’m mature enough to admit that I’m the reason for some failed friendships/relationships. I apologize.”

-jee-q-

b’artwork by Robin Isley’

11. “I’m not who I was one year ago,

-E. Grin

b’artwork by Aykut Aydoxc4x9fdu’

12. “Honesty always gets my attention. Not particularly someone who’s honest to me, but someone who’s honest with themselves.” 

-Heath Ledger

b’artwork by Christian Russo’

13. “Don’t take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.” 

—Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements

b’artwork by Maged Alsheikh’

14. “We can’t be so desperate for love that we forget where we can always find it; within.” 

—Alexandra Elle 

b’artwork by Moa Lemtur Art’

15. “Does the sun ask itself, “Am I good? Am I worthwhile? Is there enough of me?

 No, it burns and it shines. Does the sun ask itself, “What does the moon think of me? How does Mars feel about me today?” No it burns, it shines. Does the sun ask itself, “Am I as big as other suns in other galaxies?” No, it burns, it shines.”

—Andrea Dworkin, Our blood: prophecies and discourses on sexual politics (1976) 

b’artwork by goghplnt’

 16. “You are still breathing. Still growing. It’s not too late for new beginnings.”

-lightheartedsuggestion

b’artwork by Hayley Powers’

17. “Destroy the idea that you have to be constantly working or grinding in order to be successful. Embrace the concept that rest, recovery, and reflection are essential parts of the progress towards a successful and ultimately happy life.” 

-youngblackandvegan

b’artwork by Citlali Haro’

18. “Give yourself permission to be who you wish to become.” 

—Alex Elle

b’artwork by Frederic Forest’

We need these kind of reminders everyday, don’t we?