Hey Girl. Yeah, I’m talking to you. To the girls who tell themselves to be more like someone else, who critique everything they do with negativity, and who ultimately do not show themselves the kind of love and respect I know they all deserve. If you ever have these thoughts, stop.
I was that girl for a long time; I used to not like who I was. I was always my own worst critic, judging every aspect of myself, and I never thought I was enough. But you know what? You, I, and every other girl out here is good enough.
I used to realize that I was degrading myself, saying how I could be better in one way or another. I would subtly put myself down by telling myself “wow, you’re so awkward” or “yikes, you’re weird.”
But the thing is, I am weird. Everyone is in their own way. Being weird is just the negative label society gives us for being unique. And I admit, I am awkward, but I embrace it. When you own who you are, your attributes aren’t flaws but assets.
Once I stopped hating on myself and began affording myself the same level of respect that I show to others, my whole world changed. I began to enjoy life more. I laugh more now. I spend more time focusing on things that I love, such as school, and less time on my flaws. I radiate this newfound happiness, and people are noticing; when we embrace who we are, others will too. Confidence may be one of the most beautiful features any woman can have.
So now I challenge you to stop putting yourself down. The first thing you need to know and believe is that you are enough, period. You are here on this earth for a reason, and you should be proud of how far you’ve made it. Adulting is hard! School is difficult, but remember that you are more than a test score or evaluation. Work may be difficult, but you are a strong person. We are continually faced with challenges, so be proud of yourself for making it this far.
Next time you put yourself down, ask yourself this: would Ryan Gosling, the poster boy for the Hey Girl memes, approve of your criticism? Would you tell someone else what you are telling yourself? Would you want someone to be that hateful to someone you love? Would you want someone to criticize you in that way? If you answered no to any of these questions, it’s time for a change in the way you speak to yourself.
