You aren't pretty. A bold statement, I'll admit. Yes. You read it correctly. You are not pretty, you are more. You are so much more. Let me explain a little further so you will understand more in depth what I'm getting at.
A little over a week ago, I was in a Forever 21 dressing room. There was this young woman next to me, maybe in her older teens or a little older. To me, she was gorgeous. I'll admit she made me feel like a crusty lizard next to her. I say this only to stress the fact that she let these words come out of her mouth, "I'm not pretty enough." Not an attention seeking, "OMG I'm hideous." Don't lie ladies, we all do it. She actually believed it. This truly broke my heart because although she was indeed beautiful, physically, she was so much more than that. I didn't even have to know her to tell you that.
As I was easedropping from the dressing room next to her, her friend that was with her kept telling her to forget whatever guy she was with. In that moment, a personal place in my heart was touched. After listening for a moment, apparently, the boy she was seeing started seeing some other girl and broke up with her. This girl he started seeing was tall, blonde, and perfect based on her looks.
This experience encouraged me to write this now. I want to tell anyone out there who has ever felt ugly, too fat, too skinny, flawed, too short, too tall, or simply not good enough, listen up.
No, you are not pretty, you are everything better. You are not pretty, but you just got a full ride to play D1 sports. You are not pretty, but you are going to be the president someday. You are not pretty, but you are beautiful. You know why? Because beauty is so much more than what clothes you wear, what color you dye your hair, or how fleeked your eyebrows are. Most importantly, beauty is about how you treat others. What's a pretty face with a jealous, self-seeking, boastful personality?
So whether you think you could be "America's Next Top Model" or want to wear a bag over your head to class, firstly, you are not alone. Secondly, even though you are pretty, you need to be aware of what else you are. Finally, screw that significant other that told you that you weren't good enough, especially if you blamed it on your appearance. I truly apologize to the men I have dated that I only told were attractive or hot. I can only hope the men out there in this world will start calling women smart instead of pretty, hard-working instead of hot, or even kind instead of cute. Shout out to you guys that are already doing this, for we truly need more of you.
These are the things we should aim to be. No shade of concealer and no Naked palette can fix what God put his paintbrush on. Dear you are not pretty, you are pretty badass and that's what counts.
-Someone who once felt she wasn't either
