September 25, 2025
My name is Julia Boling and I’m so excited to start my new blog! I thank you for being here and reading. If you are reading this, it’s likely because you already know me, but if not, go check out my About Me section here on my website!
diving in
Something I’ve been struggling with a lot lately is feeling stuck.
I just turned 18 and moved out, which should feel like freedom—but honestly, I feel stuck. Every day kind of blends into the next: work, eat, workout, sleep, repeat. I dream about traveling, but I can’t afford it yet. Bills don’t stop, and unless I find a way to make money while I’m on the road, I’m tied here. My boyfriend is amazing—he’s just starting nursing school in the spring (YAYY) and I’m so proud of him—but that also means he’s rooted here for a while. And now I’m about to get a dog, which I know I’ll love, but I’m scared it’ll tie me down even more. I want to be responsible, but sometimes it feels like I’m building a life before I’ve even had a chance to live it.
I keep telling myself that I’m just in a transition period, which could totally be true, but it doesn’t change the fact that I still feel a little bit trapped. I know that once my finances start to pick up, I will be able to go wherever I want for the most part. Plus, I work for my parents so if I am mastering what I am supposed to be keeping up with when it comes to work, we’ve already discussed the possibility of me working remotely and they said it’s definitely something I could do at some point.
I feel the stress of starting out, it makes me anxious, not to know everything and be perfectly good at something already. I know the feeling of accomplishment will start to show up more in my life as soon as I get good at my job, so I’m extremely excited for that.
Any tips on how to curb this stress?
today’s Hot topic
At least once a week, one of my blogs is going to have a “hot topic” section, where we discuss a topic requested by one of you. If you want your hot topic featured in a post, find the Hot Topic Submission Form below.
Today’s hot topic-
the importance of self-love and self-worth. (Sorry- I know- we’re starting off heavy).
Self-love and self-worth are connected in many ways, but they are not the same thing.
Self-love is defined as the practice of caring for oneself emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It comes down to how you treat yourself on a bad day, how you feed and nurture your body and mind, and how you nurture your own well being.
Self-worth is the belief that you are inherently valuable and deserving of things that feed your emotional, physical, and spiritual well being. In other words, it is your inner sense of value, not based on what you do, but instead, who you are.
They work together in many ways, and it started with your self-worth, because that is your root belief. If you believe that you matter, that is called self-worth. Self-love is the action that stems from that belief. If you don’t have a strong foundation of self-worth, self-love practices might feel a little forced. If you only believe in your worth but never show yourself love, you don’t reinforce that belief, which then- in turn- can lead to self-worth becoming shaky. Self-worth is knowing you are valuable, self-love is showing it.
So why are these things so important?
Self-worth is important because if you don’t believe you’re worthy, you will settle for less than you deserve in ALL aspects of life- including relationships, jobs, friendships, and in how you treat yourself. You may end up chasing validation from those who don’t even know you, or accept mistreatment because you don’t believe you deserve better. With a strong foundation on self-worth, your energetic vibrations are naturally higher. You literally attract healthier people and opportunities because you carry a sense of confidence that nobody can shake.
Self-love is important because it is how you honor your worth in daily life. Without it, you might end up burning yourself out, people pleasing, or harsh levels of self criticism. When you consistently show up for yourself, you become your own safe space, which makes you resilient when going through a rougher season in life.
Questions to ask yourself if you are doubting your level of self-worth or self-care:
Self-worth:
- Do I believe I am deserving of love, respect, and kindness even when I make mistakes?
- What someone treats me poorly, do I think it says more about me or about them?
- Do I accept compliments or doubt them?
- If everything I do was stripped away from me, (like work, school, relationships), would I still feel like I matter?
Self-care:
- Do I speak to myself with compassion or criticism?
- Do I set boundaries to protect my peace even if it disappoints someone else?
- How often do I do something because it makes me happy- not just because it’s productive?
- If the person I trust the most lived in my body for a day, how would they take care of it differently than I do?
Did your answers disappoint you? Here are some things you can do to practice self-love and self-worth. I know, it feels awkward or weird- that’s your old self resisting- but try it for a week and see how differently you feel. For self-worth:
- Stand in front of a mirror when you first wake up and say, “I am worthy of love, respect, and peace simply because I exist.” Repeat it three times.
For self-love:
- Do something small every day to show yourself love. Ex/
- Go on a walk without your phone
- Say no to something that drains you
- Write down three traits about yourself that you appreciate
- If you love Jesus, pray! It helps me to believe in my sense of purpose
Together, self-love and self-worth change everything, including mental health, relationships, goals and growth, and your sense of peace. If you are having trouble with either of these things, or are just going through a rough season in your life, I strongly urge you to try these things to reconnect with yourself in positive ways.
song of the day
Stand Still- Noah Cyrus
This song resonates with how I feel lately and with today’s hot topic. It’s about what to do when the seasons get rough and times are stressful.
Remember, this journey isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection. Reconnecting with yourself and your inner voice takes time, but every step you take is a step toward healing. Be patient & kind to yourself. You are always worthy of love, especially your own.
Thank you for reading Julia’s Journal
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