To whomever needs this, of any gender, age, sex, or color.

You are beautiful. The very existence of human organisms in such a vast and diverse universe is far more beautiful than anyone gives it credit for. You are walking proof of evolution and advancement over time (even if evolution isn’t your thing, you can’t deny basic human development). So many cells worked so hard – reproducing, specializing, collecting into tissues and organs – just to make sure you existed in the world. 37.2 trillion cells care about you and only you, and all they want is to see you be healthy and thrive.  You’re a miracle! In fact, science says you’re a star as old as the universe and as young as the baby that Donald Trump’s hands belong to.

In a 2015 National Geographic article, Simon Worrall interviewed Karel and Iris Schrijver, authors of Living With the Stars: How the Human Body is Connected to the Life Cycles of the Earth explained that we are, in fact, stardust. Iris can be quoted, saying:

“Everything we are and everything in the universe and on Earth originated from stardust, and it continually floats through us even today. It directly connects us to the universe, rebuilding our bodies over and again over our lifetimes.”

To summarize it without the astrophysics degree, think of a star as a machine. Stars are formed of Hydrogen, which they convert to helium, which is then converted to carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, and sulfur. In the explosion at the death of a star, it folds into itself and releases all of these elements into the universe. That’s how we get made, out of old and new stardust fresh from the supernova.

If knowing that the origins of your body trace back to constellations and galaxies doesn’t get you psyched up to love yourself, think about how your future lays out before you. Especially for students currently on break, you’re free to be any version of yourself that you desire to create.

Tomorrow, you could go to the library and pick up a textbook on quantum physics, if that suits your fancy. Or, maybe read through Malala Yousafzai’s autobiography. The Secret Life of Bees is another good one – find a book for you, and go for it. Read to enrich your mind, extend your knowledge, and improve the opportunities you have for the future. Read for the countless men, women, and children that haven’t been given the chance to learn to read, and appreciate the blessing of your education.

If athleticism appeals to you, develop a simple routine to perform on a regular schedule and watch yourself grow! Incorporate healthier foods into your diet, and always drink lots of water. That advice is overplayed, but it isn’t a joke. Water is essential to a basic healthy life, and the more you get, the better. Drinking water is the simplest form of self-care you can engage in, with powerful results.

At the end of the day, self-love is a never ending struggle. One day you’re glowing and in love with yourself, the next you may find yourself miserable and repulsed by your own reflection. The key thing to remember is: whatever your process is, it’s okay. As long as you feel you’re working towards loving yourself, there is no need to rush to an end goal. It’s possible that there is no end goal to reach. Maybe self-love is something that you will always have to fight for, and you will always have to maintain. Maybe the struggle to love yourself, the battle you fight every day and the champion of waking up the next morning, is what makes self-love so rewarding. Maybe self-love is just escaping from self-loathing for a little while.

Wherever you are currently – mentally, physically, or spiritually – is a perfectly fine place to be. You’ll be alright darling, and each morning the sun will rise in such a beautiful way; it’s incredible that such a beautiful thing exists solely to be seen by you.