So, you’re determined to walk the self-love walk, but you notice that there’s something missing: you can’t fully love yourself.

You’re trying, but you are still beating yourself up over and over again. You’re comparing pictures of yourself. You’re crying over jeans that don’t fit. You feel that awful feeing in the pit of your stomach when you look in the mirror. You compare yourself to others and on and on and on. You really want to love yourself, but you feel like you’re not getting there.

Well, I can relate to you so much. In fact, as I’ve had to gain weight over the last few months and still stand in front of this camera every week, I’ve been struggling, crying, hating on myself.

BUT there was one thing that kept me from going back to anorexia, one ingredient that helped me to stay the course and do what’s right for my health and what’s best for my self-love journey: a community of inspiring women.

Yup, that’s the secret ingredient to a successful and self-love filled life.

The truth is that you can’t always be happy-go-lucky and always love yourself 100%; especially at the beginning of your self-love journey. Having different emotions is part of life.

However, by having a powerful tribe of women who are there for you, remind you of your true values, pick yourself up when you’re feeling down and so on, you will have a solid response to your *fat* days and negative thoughts.

Having someone to rely on, someone to call, someone to give you a hug and someone you can be brutally honest with is key for a fulfilled and self-love filled life.

Sometimes you find this tribe in your home town, sometimes you find it online. Sometimes you have to move to a different country, but there’s a tribe for every woman and that includes you. I needed to search for my tribe for a long time, but I’ve found mine in an unexpected place and in an unexpected way. And let me tell you, it’s worth waiting for the right tribe!

This weekend, either brainstorm some ideas about where you can find a tribe (I have a new program coming up, so, stay tuned!) or reach out to your existing tribe. Share how you’re doing and ask what it is you can do for others. A tribe can be one person or 10. It can be strangers (sometimes we are more vulnerable with strangers) or family members. It’s up to you. Imagine your perfect tribe and then go create it or get it.

Always remember: Life’s not meant to be lived alone and self-love is not created solely by yourself. [Click to Tweet]

Have you found your tribe just yet or are you still searching for it? Who do you go to when you feel down? Who supports you and picks you up? Who reminds you of the true values of life? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Check out Love Yourself Friday Edition #31: The Missing Ingredient to Your Self-Love Recipe on Youtube!