I know it’s annoying to brag about how amazing your sorority is, but damn. My sorority deserves it. My chapter hosts an annual speak-out in honor of one of our sisters, Leslie George, who passed away from an eating disorder in 2000. It’s a night to learn about eating disorders, and the many forms they take, and to realize how prevalent this disease really is. But most importantly, it’s a night to realize how beautiful you and everyone else really is – not only on the outside, but inside as well. It taught me that no matter what I am beautiful, I am loved, I am important, and I am valued.
Eating disorders are evil. Body image issues are evil. Not loving yourself is evil.
Yeah, it’s hard to look at yourself day in and day out and not pick out your flaws. It’s hard to see other beautiful people and not compare yourself to them. It is hard to honestly love yourself. But it’s when you stop picking out every single flaw, when you stop comparing yourself to others that you learn to truly love the skin you’re in and who you are. We all have so much more than just our looks to offer. “Mirrors are just glass, and you’re more than that”
We all struggle one way or another. It was when I had everything that I realized I was unhappy. I was in my prime - just got to college and met so many amazing people, when I realized I was so sad. When you look at yourself every day and hate what’s looking back at you, it really takes a toll on your mood. When I realized how much I was allowing myself to think negative thoughts about myself and my body, I knew it was time for a change. It wasn't until I was forced, by a class project, to honestly change these behaviors. After a while, I realized I’m always going to have these insecurities, but they’re mine, and no one else can use them against me. It was then that I made a pact with myself to stop comparing myself to others and to stop picking out everything I disliked about myself when I looked in the mirror. It was then that I started my journey to loving myself.
Leslie George not only emphasized the goal that I’m trying to reach, but it made it so much more real for me. To hear my friends get up and talk about their own journey to self-love, only made we want to continue on mine even more. A truly life changing event that I am so humbled to have been a part of. My sorority reminds me each and every day how lucky I am to be surrounded by such beautiful, positive, uplifting women! Thank you all so much.
Selena Gomez says it best – “Because I had everything, and I was absolutely broken. And I kept it together and I swore I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down. I'm not trying to get validation, nor do I need it anymore”
