“Love You”

This is your gentle reminder to: love you.

Recently, I marked a beautiful milestone in my self-love journey by getting a tattoo — not just any tattoo, but one in my own handwriting that simply says, “love you.” Created with care by Zoe at Medusa Ink Studio in Crown Point Indiana, this piece isn’t just body art; it’s a deeply personal reminder to love every part of myself.

After my tattoo was complete, I felt extremely emotional. A wave of intense, unconditional love surged through me.  It was unexpected but so welcome.  That’s the kind of love I’ve been working toward: real, raw, and rooted in truth.

This self-love journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced some incredibly difficult seasons while navigating both PMDD and now perimenopause.  The struggle has been real. There have been days when just getting out of bed felt like a victory because anything else would seem impossible.  But I’ve kept showing up for myself.  I’ve kept choosing to love myself, even when it feels hard and simple task feels impossible.

And I want to remind you: you can do the same.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month — a time that holds deep meaning for me, both personally and professionally. As an advocate for suicide prevention and mental health, I’ve seen how vital self-love and self-acceptance are in the healing process.

I often say, “Self-acceptance is where your true self-love journey begins.”
It’s easy to love the best parts of ourselves the confident, put-together, high-achieving versions. But the real work, the true transformation, happens when we find the courage to embrace the parts of ourselves that are messy, painful, or hard to understand and accept. That’s where healing begins.

My tattoo is a permanent reminder to love my highs, my lows, and all the in-betweens. Every time I look in the mirror and see the words “love you,” I am reminded that I am worthy of love, just as I am.

Now, I’m not saying everyone needs to go out and get a tattoo to feel this. But I am encouraging you — yes, you — to embrace every single part of who you are. The light and the shadow.  The triumphs and the tears. Show yourself grace. Be gentle with your heart. Keep choosing YOU.  Keep LOVING YOU!

Because you matter.
Exactly as you are. Right now. In this moment.

With love,

Charmaine Moore
Face of Hope and Beauty
Self-love Coach | Writer | Speaker

P.S THANK YOU so very much to Zoe at Medusa Ink Studio in Crown Point Indiana for making me feel welcomed, seen and heard. I love my tattoo. You did an amazing job.

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