List 10 things that you love about yourself! Let’s kick that negative self-talk outta here!

Truth time: I have a bit of an ego. I think I’m awesome, so this is a great prompt. Let’s do this.

1. I’m independent. I’ve been off my parents’ payroll, as my dad says, since the day I graduated college. I may not have a 401(k), and the amount I pay in rent every month makes me weep, but I pay it out of the money I earn. I love having that freedom to decide what’s important to me.

2. I follow my dreams. So many people never go after what they really want and die with regrets. I used to think I would be one of those people too – but I woke up one day and realized that it’s all within my reach, so why not go for it? Some of my dreams have come true and some are still in progress, but you can bet that if I don’t reach them, it’s not for lack of trying.

Visiting NYC in 2008, dreaming of moving to the big city someday – Six years later, I did.

3. I have an awesome natural hair color. I had nothing to do with this one, but I love my hair. It’s brown, but when it grows long it has a sort of natural auburn ombre. People are always asking me what dye I use. None! Also, I haven’t always appreciated this. I went full-on redhead after college, and in middle school I had those chunky blonde streaks made popular by Kelly Clarkson. But who didn’t?

4. I’m close to my family. Sometimes I take this for granted, but I’m super close to my parents and siblings even though we’re scattered across the country. I love taking time out of my day to chat with them and catch up on what’s going on in their lives.

5. I’m good at making friends. When I was younger, I didn’t have many friends (but the ones I had were top-notch), and they were sort of built-in – kids from girl scouts, Sunday School, actual school, dance team. Even in college and directly after, my friends were from the dorms, my journalism classes, my job. But since moving to New York I’ve met so many incredible people from such a wide variety of backgrounds and I cherish them so much.

6. I’m calm in a crisis. This one I’ve had to work on a lot. I used to panic easily, but over the past couple years I’ve managed to learn to keep calm in the moment and freak out after the fact. Baby steps.

7. I have decent self-control. I donated so much crap when I moved from Phoenix – I’m talking two entire carloads to Goodwill, plus all the stuff I offloaded on my brother and friends. Why does one person have so much STUFF?! Since getting to New York, every time I buy something I ask myself, would this just end up in the ‘donate’ pile if I moved tomorrow? I’ve cut way down on useless spending this way and it’s getting easier every time.

8. I’m a good employee. In every job I’ve had, I’ve aimed to be the best I can be – I show up on time, focus, communicate, and generally get stuff done. I feel like these things get noticed even more than things like hitting target numbers and writing strong pieces (though obviously I try to do those things as well).

9. … but I’m not afraid to have a good time. I take a full hour for lunch every day to read in a park or curl up in a cafe so I come back re-energized. I leave the office at 5 p.m. and spend my evenings and weekends exploring NYC and the world. When I’m at work, I’m 100% there – but when I’m not, I’m 100% not. Frankly, I think that makes me an even better employee.

10. I’m a good cook. This is last on the list because I haven’t cooked much since moving to Brooklyn, where the appliances are made for a dollhouse and I have to share them with a roommate. But I’m good at cooking, I love cooking, and I spend less money when I cook. I need to cook more.

What do you love about yourself?