Dear lovely ladies,
You are spectacular. Has anyone said that to you lately?
We live in a world where any way we look, anyway we act, or any way we feel can be criticized. Harshly. We live on the edge of a double-standard for our whole lives, in ways I could list, but it would take too long and you know it all anyway. You’ve lived it. And I am so proud of you for coming this far.
I’m writing this letter to tell you what I’ve learned and how it has made me stronger.
Some people are going to criticize how you look, and that goes from peers at school to your own family. And I want to tell you that you should be making choices on your appearance that make you comfortable in your own skin. Don’t make that choice based on what someone else told you – do what makes you feel beautiful and confident. And if you make a mistake (shout out to that short hair in seventh grade), own it and keep moving.
On that same note, fake it ‘til you make it is very effective. Confidence can be incredibly hard to come by, especially if you’re looking for reassurance that you’re not always going to get. You have to believe that you are doing your best and that your best is good enough. And if you believe in yourself, or just ‘fake it’, chances are others will believe in you, and that will build you up.
I would always encourage everyone, especially young women, to be yourself. I have gone back and forth many times in my life from truly being myself to being who I thought others wanted me to be. In those times when I wasn’t myself, I was miserable. It’s exhausting and futile. There is no point in being friends with people who don’t love you for who you are, and a really easy way to find out who those people are is to be true to yourself. Those who stay are worth keeping. Being yourself is the absolute best way to excel in life, and it will make you happiest.
Selfies. Are. Awesome.
We are increasingly told that girls who take selfies are vain, especially if they put filters on them or put makeup on beforehand, etc. etc. That is ridiculous. While there’s something to be said for enjoying life by living in the moment and not posting every single second of it to social media, do not be ashamed of yourself for taking a selfie. People used to sit for hours for a painted portrait of themselves, some of which have become immortalized to this day (looking at you, Mona Lisa). If selfies make you feel good and pretty and confident, go for it.
No matter what stage of your life you’re in, be yourself and do what makes you happy, and don’t let other people get you down. You are beautiful and wonderful and you’re going to do amazing things.
