I didn't write this book because I had something to say. I wrote it because I finally had permission to say it.

For most of my life — from elementary school through high school — I was accepted but never quite let in. Bullied for how I looked because I was a chubby kid, how smart I was, how dark my skin was because I'm in between colors, for being the teacher's kid. I kept showing up as a real friend to people who didn't know what to do with that. I kept trying to give others something genuine and kept getting back something hollow.

Nobody knew. And writing this book was the first time I let that little girl be heard.

I Choose Me: 30 Days of Self-Love isn't a book about becoming someone new. It's a 30-day conversation between you and the version of yourself that got talked out of taking up space somewhere along the way — whether that was in childhood, in a friendship, in a relationship, or in a room where you kept shrinking to make others comfortable.

One affirmation per day. One honest prompt. Thirty days to finally stop performing for people who were never going to receive what you were offering anyway — and start choosing yourself instead.

What's inside:

Each day is a two-page experience:

Affirmation Page — the day's affirmation, a scripture, and a personal message written directly to you. Not a quote pulled from the internet. Something Nik actually needed to hear — and wrote down so you could hear it too.

5 Minute Journal Page — five prompts to take the affirmation off the page and into your actual day:

• My Affirmation for Today
• 3 Things I Am Grateful For
• 3 Mini Goals for Making Today Great
• 3 Awesome Things Happened Today
• How Could I Have Made My Day Better?

The 30 days: Day 1: I Am Here for a Reason · Day 2: I Am Grateful for My Life · Day 3: I Enjoy Being Me · Day 4: I Have Faith in My Decisions · Day 5: If You Can Dream It You Can Achieve It · Day 6: I Embrace My Flaws Completely · Day 7: I Am in Control of My Thoughts · Day 8: I Do Not Sweat the Small Stuff · Day 9: I Choose to Be Confident · Day 10: I Choose to Radiate Positivity · Day 11: I Am in Charge of My Life · Day 12: Every Day Is a Second Chance · Day 13: I Breathe in Peace & Exhale Fear · Day 14: I Believe in Myself · Day 15: I Can Be Anything I Choose to Be · Day 16: I Am Always Evolving & Growing · Day 17: I Have the Ability to Set Myself Free · Day 18: I Accept People as They Are · Day 19: I See and Value My Uniqueness · Day 20: Only One Person Can Change Your Life: You · Day 21: Each Day I Get Stronger · Day 22: Believe in Yourself and You Will Be Unstoppable · Day 23: Life Is Tough My Darling, But So Are You · Day 24: I Rise Above All Negativity · Day 25: I Am Patient with Myself · Day 26: I Have the Power to Live My Dreams · Day 27: I Am Open to New Experiences · Day 28: I Am More Than Enough · Day 29: Live in the Present · Day 30: I Choose Me

80 pages. Soft cover. Written in Newport News, Virginia.

You don't just read this book. You work it. And by Day 30, you'll know the difference.