I see so much of myself in my niece, she’s 3 now and even my sister thinks so since the day she was born. I wish sometimes that while I was growing up, that someone would have put positive things into my head about myself. All I got were negatives and if just one person had put positives into me, maybe my self esteem wouldn’t have been so bad and maybe I wouldn’t still be working so hard on it. So much of how I am came from my childhood. I know that it starts with how you feel about yourself internally, after that what you think of the outside improves too. Learned that in therapy while dealing with an eating disorder. I know she’s good at home with my sister but auntie can give you affirmations too lol. I go and get her some weekends because man I just love her.

So I tell her “you are such a kind soul.”

“You’re good at sharing.” “The world is lucky to have you. I’m lucky to know you. It’d be a pretty weird place without you here. You’re a blessing.” And just random things like that.

So my sister sent me a video of her playing in the the living room with her toys talking to herself repeating all of that. She was telling it to her toys I guess. It was titled “lol is she hearing that from you?”

Proudest auntie moment in my whole life dude omfg. I won’t post it because she doesn’t like her being put on social media where people she doesn’t know can see.

But believe it’s the most beautiful thing ever to see her internalizing that. I cried.

Responding to comment: yes I repeat these things to her every time I see her. Other than that I compliment her actions and personality. She shares her toys well and she’s a good listener and she’s very independent and I tell her all of that.