To the one who lacks self-love,

I understand that in today's world where social media has consumed our lives that for some people it is hard to look in the mirror and love yourself. On the other hand, it is easy to look at yourself and pick apart every little thing that is wrong with you or that you dislike. It's easy to compare yourself to the ones you follow and to be so caught up in it that it begins to destroy you.

To be stuck in this pattern is one of the worst and most draining positions to be in. It is a constant burden you are holding onto and all it does is knock you down, one hit at a time.

If you're at this point where scrolling through social media hurts you, your confidence is nonexistent, you constantly nag yourself and no one or nothing can change your mind, there is something you need to know. Know this is not your fault. Know you are so much more than the horrible thoughts that you create in your mind. Know that just because you don't use the editing apps to make your skin look clear and your body looks good that other people use does not make you any less beautiful. You are real. You display your natural and real beauty and for that, you should be proud. These actions should not be discouraged, but sadly they are.

So, to the ones who feel hopeless and walk around loathing their bodies, listen to the ones who love you and who surround you. I promise they are not lying to you. If they compliment you, don't just disregard it. Take it to heart. Hear them out and believe it. Look in the mirror and take in how truly amazing your body is and what it does for you. Uplift your body for all that it does for you. Pick out the things you like most and focus on them, but look at the things you don't like too. Why do you hate them? Did something else's influence our feeling toward it? How do you ACTUALLY feel about it? Stare at the parts you don't like. Focus on them. Get comfortable with them. They'll grow on you I promise.

If you notice that social media is a big issue for you and discourages you then delete it for a month or so. In that time you should get comfortable with your body, start to love it and accept yourself. The only approval you need is your own. No one else matters. Remember that what you see on Instagram is most likely not real and when you look in the mirror, that is real and it's incredible.

It's hard to not compare yourself to others and it's hard to love those things you can't change about yourself, but I promise life isn't so hard when you aren't constantly worried about what other people think of you.

Sincerely,

A girl struggling with self-love