Describe what self love is to you?

To me, self love is getting in touch with your inner self and mainly focusing on your well being and happiness.

What are some ways you practice self love?

I practice self love by listening to happy cheesy music, looking at myself in the mirror and telling myself that I'm beautiful, buy some things I feel I deserve for working hard and being a good girl, wear makeup (but remind myself that the best makeup is being confident and smiling) & lastly being surrounded by positive people who really support me and loves me.

Are there any hardships you've faced while loving yourself ?

While dealing with depression, there we're hardships I've faced while trying to love myself. While I was practicing self love, I was dealing with a long term relationship back in Oklahoma and my ex-mate was always stressing and not understandable. Whenever he sees me in a good mood, it's like he finds ways to put me down. There were times where I wanted better days for myself and for him but it was difficult because it was either keep making myself happy & try to move on or just stay miserable while making him happy and I didn't want the 2nd choice, so I decided to spread my wings and fly back to NYC. However thought there were many doubts, many negative thoughts, overthinking, and also at one point I swallowed prescriptions because there were days where I just didn't want to live.

Describe a turning point in your life that helped to shape your ideas on self love.

I was 25 years old and I remembered praying to God to please help me love myself again. This happened after I left that toxic relationship that lasted for about 5 years. I felt very vulnerable, empty and hollow. Here I am sitting on a toilet pleading God to help me and after that, I finished praying and it felt good. I began to cry alone and reminisce about the good things I've done in life, thoughts of my mother and my younger siblings and thoughts of people who find me inspirational and always comment that I'm strong. Then I began by telling myself "Fiorela you can do this you can love yourself again. Don't give up just because the men in my past including my father didn't provide me enough love doesn't mean I can't love myself." Then from there I decided to stand up, stop crying and begin a new chapter of loving myself the next day. It wasn't easy but sure it wasn't hard either. In the end, it took courage and days for me to actually change myself and fall in love with myself again.

Who are some people who have motivated you to love yourself (negatively or positively)

I have to say, My mother, my cousin Soledad, my teacher Ms.Rosa, and my pastor, Janet.

What advice do you have for someone seeking to practice self love?

Believe me and others when we say that "we cannot change overnight" because you will not love yourself overnight or even transform into the person you want to become. Take a risk and take time on yourself, do not rush to self love for any man or anyone in particular. Just know that you're doing this to better yourself and for others to love you and respect you for you. Know yourself, know your worth and know what makes YOU happy and complete in your life.

Name a person, famous or otherwise who have taught you about self love.

My pastor Janet. Thanks to her I couldn't have done it on my own. Because of her, she taught me to be more loving, positive, fun, judge free and more real. She's an amazing trustworthy woman who will find ways to understand you and make you smile and love yourself & life again.

Lada: I met Fiorela in High School. She has always been a happy go lucky person and I am always inspired by the fact that she keeps a smile on her face despite any hardships. I believe that her strive for self love and stepping into who she truly is wonderful and is worthy of sharing. Thank you for being so thorough Fiorela!