Growing up, I was always one of those girls who loathed the reflection I saw in the mirror. As a young girl, I became my most ruthless and unforgiving critic. I let my low self-esteem encompass all of me, leaving me more susceptible to believe the negative comments of those around me and continuously selling myself short. However, I’m not the only one. Most of the girls I meet could rattle off a whole list of “flaws” but would struggle to find one nice thing to offer up about themselves, and it is time to be ok with loving yourself the most.
1. We are designed for greatness, not perfection.
One notion I had growing up is that I wasn’t what I deemed perfect. But what is perfection? Is it even real, or attainable? We’re constantly striving to reach this unreal stigma of perfection that we don’t realize all of the wonderful attributes that we do have. As humans, we are meant to grow and learn which inevitably means we will make mistakes along the way. Mistakes do not define you. Accept it and keep going.
2. It’s OK not to look like that girl.
As women, we are constantly being compared to others, however it seems to be ourselves that do the harshest critiquing. I always found myself sitting in class, or watching tv, (or any activity really) and wishing I looked like someone else. I would wonder why she was lucky enough for a smile like that or hair like that. By constantly comparing myself, I was denouncing my whole character. We are built differently and sadly, we will always find somebody that we deem prettier or smarter or funnier. This is a part of life we need to accept; acknowledge the good qualities in others, but don’t denote yours along the way.
3. You are your number one.
You could constantly be surrounded by friends, family, and boyfriends but at the end of the day you are your biggest supporter and you’re the only one who can’t just walk away. I hated being alone because I felt the need for constant validation, validation I didn’t need but craved. Growing up, I learned that I am the one who lays in bed with me each night and wakes up with me each morning. I am my biggest supporter, and how can one succeed if you’re constantly knocking yourself down a few pegs? Keep yourself healthy, and immerse yourself in positive vibes. Only you can truly motivate yourself to do something at the end of each day.
4. Accepting your past is part of moving forward.
I am typically the type of person who dwells in the past. It feels so much easier to live in the confinement of one’s past than to risk any chance of history repeating itself by trying new things. Bad experiences are inevitable and not everyone has something nice to say, but each new experience is essential to growing as a person.
5. Everyone has off days.
Some more frequently than others. Everyone is entitled to have days where nothing is going right and you feel like giving up. Your bad days don’t define you, and if you tried, you could find something positive about each day. Learn to accept not everything can be perfect and some days are worse than others.
6. No one is a better you than you.
Find comfort in knowing you are the only you out there. Nobody else has your exact personality, and not everyone looks good in a ponytail like you. You have a circuit of people around you who adore you and everything you have to offer. At the end of it all, you are an irreplaceable human!
