Need some advice on staying positive

Hi, I am 5'0 at 124 pounds right now, lost a few pounds after being my highest at 128 pounds after a stressful event a few months ago.

I've been feeling a bit discouraged because my weight has always fluctuated with my diet and activity. Back in my last year of high school and first year of college, I lost weight from 115 pounds and and I was at 97-100 pounds, and my family and friends said I looked great, very toned and looked very slim and fit. My waist was 28 inches at that time, but that weight didn't last long because it was hard to maintain for me. I would over exercise for hours and restrict a lot of my eating to stay that way but it got exhausting, so I relaxed. I got to 115, and then my family said I looked chubby and soft, (they talked to me out of love) I thanked them and told them it took me a lot of work and it was unsustainable for me to stay at 100, and they didn't understand. Now, I am 124 pounds, and I don't feel horrible, but I am definitely bigger and feel bigger since my size 6 pants are tight and I feel more comfortable with 10 petite. I know it's still considered a healthy weight, but with the way I carry my weight, I look thicker, have a 30 inch waist, and my large chest makes me look big as well, with thicker body overall, and when I sit down, I look bigger. I am not slim at all.

My family and friends that were used to seeing me very slim, said I looked very chubby/overweight. I've always liked to do resistance bands and walking 10k a day, when i was exercising (at 115), so I've been picking that up again, because it makes my arms slightly smaller and toned, and legs toned, and waist a little bit smaller but it's still thick, unlike before back when I was 100 pounds. But since I'm just getting back into it, I still look squishy and big, so I'm trying to adjust ny diet and exercise while giving myself grace qa I work towards my goal of 115 again.

Also, I know I am giving myself grace, but know that 25 pounds of fat can make someone short look very different and noticable to other people. I want to continue working on my diet and doing my exercises to at least get to 115 and some exercise so that I look a bit leaner without having to push myself to get to 100 again.

How do you all give yourself love and positivity when navigating health and fitness?

Thanks for your help!