Dear people with low self confidence,

Everyday on social media and in person you are told that everyone is beautiful, you get reassured by your friends, family and sometimes even strangers that you are indeed good looking. Then how come when you look through your Instagram timeline or you see a beautiful person in the street you feel betrayed by those who called you beautiful. You think they’re lying to you. All those “l wish I looked like you” was just one big lie told to you by people who didn't want to break your heart. You compared your stomach to the flat one with a flawless tan and a six pack, you compare your butt to the more perky one, you compare your face to those that look like they are made out of porcelain. I do it too, I try to stop myself, but I can’t. I don’t hate the girls who post things about their face or body, I’m jealous yes, but I wish I could have the confidence to post a photo of myself in a bikini or in that dress I thought I looked good in until I actually put it on.

Many of us suffer from low self confidence, men and women alike, it makes no difference. Though many men don’t show it as much as women, I know you’re suffering too. Society has standards for men just as much as women. Men are supposed to be strong with an athletic build while also having a strong jawline and luscious hair. I’ve seen the ads, but let’s be honest here, only 10% of the population looks like that. Just like not all women have Victoria Secret bodies, some are thin some are thick; it’s what makes us unique. I understand it’s difficult trying not to compare yourself to those beauties, but it is time you see yourself as one.

I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to look at yourself in the mirror and not see what others perceive as beautiful. I know how it is trying on a tight dress and wanting to cry because how could it fit the model so perfectly and not me; there must be something wrong with me. Truth is, there isn’t. Models are supposed to be perfect, that is the whole point of them being models. Models are supposed to be thin because they are supposed to look good with everything that they wear, and even then, during their photo-shoots models are photo-shopped to look like something that no one can achieve because it is unrealistic.

Helping yourself to see a better you is all up to…well…you. No matter how many reminders you get that you are beautiful, the only person that can really reassure you is yourself. Look at yourself in the mirror every morning and every night before bed and tell yourself “You are beautiful, flawless, perfect, one of a kind” until you start saying it so much that you actually believe it. You aren’t cocky, you’re confident. Dance in your room to your favorite songs, go out with your friends wearing the best outfit you own, play your favorite sport, read your favorite book, watch your favorite movie; stop hating on yourself, but instead, be your number one fan. Stop comparing yourself to those people on Instagram, instead scroll through it and don't even think twice about it. Having self confidence is up to you, fight for it, and then you can see how truly beautiful you really are.