By Patricia Fontejon

When people think of the word poetry, a multitude of thoughts come to mind, from spoken word and emotion to rhythm. People often associate poetry with expressing one’s feelings on paper, following a specific format and arrangement. Others think of reading and writing poems as a chore, due to the lyrical sentences that are confusing to read and hard to analyze. However, some poetry is worth the effort. 

Alex Aubrey’s poetry book “Learning to Love Myself” perfectly encapsulates the journey of self-discovery and self-love. It is relatable to young readers, as the problems that the book talks about are ideas of personal growth, something that adolescents in particular experience frequently. Also appealing to a younger audience, Aubrey’s book is short, yet very impactful, without confusing Shakespearean language and hidden symbolism. 

“Learning to Love Myself” is written for individuals embarking on a journey of self-love. With words of empathy and empowerment, this book offers guidance in strengthening one’s perception of and relationship with oneself. It’s divided into four chapters: “Stuck and Unhappy,” “Learning To Let Go,” “Learning To Love Myself,” and “You Are Your Own Home.”  

What sets this collection apart is the number of poems it holds. There are so many poems that it is likely that every reader will find a piece that they connect with. Each poem sounds like something you would keep in your notes app for safe keeping, and that vulnerability is what makes it raw and relatable. 

Aubrey writes, “It is never too late to start treating yourself the way you deserve.” In another poem, she writes, “If you keep waiting for change you will always be waiting.” These lines underscore the idea that people evolve and grow, and so do their opinions of the world and themselves.

Aubrey’s poetry helps her readers embrace the ability to be content when alone. She helps us realize that people don’t always need validation from others to feel good. Her poetry shows that self-love can lead to healthier relationships with others in the future. It can even help people distinguish between healthy relationships and those that might be detrimental.

Aubrey writes, “It is the hardest thing to learn how to be alone again.” She continues this thought in another poem where she writes, “There will come a day where you think more about the present than the past.” This sort of self-discovery is important to help young readers understand who they are and what they value. The idea of being alone can provide them with the ability to explore their own feelings without influential peers or parents. Aubrey gives them the confidence to know they can rely on themselves for happiness and fulfillment.

The poetry book is certainly not the next “Divine Comedy,” nor does it try to be. It can at times be cheesy feeling more like cliche advice, but it does open readers’ minds to the idea of loving themselves and living life for themselves, rather than living life for the people around them. Even if it is simple in concept, it is a book that inspires readers to live on their own terms, which is something high school students in particular need to hear.