"Why can't I have hips like hers?"

"Her hair is perfect."

"I want skinnier legs like her."

"I look horrible. Why can't I be beautiful like the other girls?"

Welcome to the story of my life. Needless to say, I know how you feel. It's a sucky feeling, looking in the mirror and absolutely shivering at the sight of your reflection.

I've had complications with self-love for a long time. It's hung around since high school. Thankfully, it never came even remotely close to dangerous. The thoughts, though, still never stopped.

They swarmed me. I was afraid I was ugly because I had pimples. I was self-conscious because I was wearing a shirt that made my stomach look huge. I thought I looked horrific because I was wearing sweatpants that made my legs puffy. I absolutely hated my hair; it was flat and stuck to my head, dead ends galore.

Cut me some slack. When was I going to finally look good?

"Good" is when pimples do not exist. Skinny legs are a thing. All clothes fit nice on you. "Good" is when people compliment you and they actually mean it.

Looking good was my main mission. I had to fit in. I blamed myself because I was an outcast. I was never in a social group of friends. I was never part of a typical, plastic clique. Why did I always want to be someone like Barbie or Regina George?

Why was my skin not clear? Why did I look a monster? Why can't I look like the rest of them, with the cute curls and rocking highlights? Why was I ugly?

WHY?

Girl, listen to me. You are never going to be them. You sometimes dress like them to feel the tiniest bit more confident. You even wear your hair like they do. But trust me, all you can do is be yourself! I've learned that is the best thing to do. You're beautiful inside and out, so why let everyone else control you?

So, like I said, I feel you. Today, I still have these thoughts. It is actually a daily occurrence. I look in the mirror and my eyes go straight to my stomach. I cringe. My eyes have dark circles under them, so dark that makeup can't even cover it up decently. My face is pale, especially in the winter.

Worrying increases stress, and we're already under enough stress already. So why worry about the beauty you were born with? When you stress about your image, your mind plays games on you. It's so hard not to compare yourself to others, but you're not alone.

I understand you. I know it makes you flinch when you compare yourself to other girls. I really know how it feels. But all that really matters is what you think of yourself, and the amount of care and love you have in your heart.

Beauty matters, but not as much as your personality and heart. You were blessed. God gave you the body He thought fit you. He gave you the body, curves, looks you deserved. He made you perfect. Just remember that everyone is different, so there's no reason to crave being and looking the exact same way as some other girl.

Don't be too busy worrying about others because you and I both know that's exactly what you do. Don't do that to yourself; it's not worth it.

So, I know you stress about your image, as do I. You're not battling this fight and struggle by yourself.

I feel you.

But you're better than that. Beat the words. Push against it.

You're beautiful, and I hope you remember that forever. All you can be is yourself.