It is 11:28 p.m. on a Tuesday night and I am in bed watching the 2015 movie "The DUFF." DUFF stands for Designated Ugly Fat Friend, and unfortunately, this is the one true teen coming-of-age movie I’ve actually related to. Now, my high school life wasn’t as extreme as this movie, but my entire life I have pegged myself as the DUFF of every friend group I’ve ever had.
I’m fatter than my other friends, I’m not at pretty or tall, and for some odd reason, while approaching the age of 20 I’ve still yet to get a facial regiment going that’ll prevent acne. I’ve never had a guy look at me from across the room and think, “wow, I have to meet her” but that’s okay. With all of this “against” me I should be wallowing in own self-pity because no amount of “don’t stress over it, guys are just intimated by you” speeches I get from my friends will actually make me feel as beautiful as they claim I am. But that’s just not the case; this movie as I watch it is making an impact on me.
The one thing I took from this movie is that most everyone feels this way. Everyone has their insecurities and that sinking feeling when someone is getting more positive attention than you or one of their “fat/ugly” days. No matter the insecurity everyone is still beautiful in his or her own way. Cliché is an understatement but it's true, you are beautiful.
I’m reaching the stage 11 of this movie. “Acceptance plus 11” is accepting who you are and turning that up to 11. Honestly, that’s one of the most inspiring things a teen movie has ever taught me. Be yourself and love that person. All of the other movies that just have a girl ditch the glasses, loosen the ponytail, and win the hot guy don’t convey this message as well or if at all. "The DUFF" teaches you to embrace your quirks and insecurities because no one is flawless or as perfect as they seem.
I am someone’s DUFF. I accept that I’m bigger and not as pretty or tall as my friends. I accept the fact that I can be a bit socially awkward, especially around new people. All the things that bothered me about myself in high school and to this day are meaningless. What matters is who I am as a person, my personality, and my values, not the number on the scale or if I look like an Instagram model.
We all have things we don’t like about ourselves but that doesn’t mean we aren’t worth it. We should all be loving or at least learning to love ourselves, that’s the real love. Once you get that, your insecurities will fade and you’ll stop comparing yourself to others. Step 11; acceptance plus 11. I am still working on that part but I’ll get there, everyone will.
This might sound like some rave review of a silly teenage coming-of-age movie but it’s more than that. It’s the stream of conciseness from a DUFF. A learning-to-love-herself DUFF.
