Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt pure hatred for what you saw? So have I. Have you ever written something and hated every word you wrote? So have I. I think everyone has experienced some sort of self-hatred. It's sort of hard to like what you see or do with the constant change in society’s vision of perfection. One day, thigh gaps are in. The next, thick thighs “save lives.” Even while writing this, I clicked the backspace button a few more times than I should have because I was worried what people may think.
No matter how confident you may be, there's probably one thing you don't like about yourself or wish you could change. Think about that one thing, or if you're like me, think about those twenty things. Think about each individual flaw. Why do you dislike them? Is it because society doesn't think it's desirable or did someone once make a snide remark about your insecurity? Now ask yourself, does that flaw make you the person you are? If it's your nose, do you honestly think people notice it? If it's your laugh, do you think people detest it? I know things like your nose and laugh are things you can't change so they're a little harder to deal with. However, keep in mind that uniqueness is a key to being human. We've all got a few things that are different from each other. Do you know how great that is? Everyone wants to look like Kim Kardashian or Channing Tatum. Why don't we want to look like ourselves? We are all our own humans and we're all special in some way yet we want to be like someone else.
It doesn't matter what you look like, people are going to judge you. You'll get called fat or too skinny. You'll get called ugly or annoying. Those words hurt for a while. You just have to learn that people who say those things usually have a few insecurities of their own. They think by making fun of others they'll feel better. I'm not saying it's okay to bully, but it's something that we can't control. I wish there was an easier way to tell people to look over their insecurities. You just have to learn to love them. I have always hated my body. Recently, I've learned that I can't change my body. Sure, I could lose weight, but I'll still find something to hate. So why not attempt to love myself the way I am? Get up in the mornings and look at yourself and find one thing you like. Write it down. If there's nothing you like one day, just don't write anything, only write down the positive. Writing them down will help you be able to look back at the things you liked about yourself so maybe next time you look in the mirror, you'll see the same things. Hopefully you will realize you have great qualities.
Next time you're out shopping and you see that shirt you love, pick it up and try it on. If it makes you feel good, don't even ask your friend if it looks good. You feel good in the shirt. Buy it. Next time you feel like you're not good enough, just say to yourself “I am good enough.” Say it out loud. It sounds silly but you'll feel better. Trust me. I've struggled with my self-image for years. Most of the time, I hate the way I look. No matter what kind of reassuring my friends or significant other gives, I still don't feel good about myself. What makes me feel good is going out and having fun even if I don't feel like I look my best. When you start to act like you feel good, you start to actually feel good. Go out and have fun and laugh. While you're laughing and you see your reflection, instead of thinking how terrible you look, you'll begin to see how your nose crinkles when you laugh or how your eyes close, then you will learn to love yourself.
