Last Monday I received an email saying that the proofs for my senior pictures were ready for viewing. Some girls might receive this email with excitement and anticipation. On the other hand, I had been trying my hardest to forget that senior pictures ever happened. I got the email and literally sat there staring at it for at least five minutes debating whether or not I wanted to potentially mar my lovely Monday by clicking on the link. I finally gave in and spent the following ten minutes creating a mental list of all the reasons why no one should ever see 18 out of the 21 pictures followed by the decision that retakes are a must.

It was several hours later that I actually took the time to analyze my thoughts and feelings. These emotions aren't new. I felt this way when I got my 8th grade graduation pictures and here we are eight years later and nothing's changed. Not only are these emotions not new to me, I know they're ones that are felt by amajority, if not all, women at one time or another. So we feel these emotions and yes, it is nice knowing that I'm not the only one that feels this way, but the real question is why. Why is it that I need to mentally prepare before looking at a picture of myself? Why do I need give myself a little self-esteem pep talk while getting ready for the day? Why do I continually find myself comparing my looks to others? Why don't I feel beautiful?

We don't think we're beautiful because we've taken what the world tells us is beautiful and then used that as a check list to scale our own bodies. Not only do we have this list of "beautiful" qualities, but it's one that's continually growing. It seems like every week I think of something else or read one more tweet or see one more picture, and suddenly I am so painfully aware of another "fault."

The truth of the matter about you, me and everyone else is that we're all beautiful. You really are. You're beautiful because you're you. I think many women struggle to look at themselves and feel beautiful because their minds are constantly going through that list of acceptable qualities of beauty instead of focusing on their individuality. Appreciate your uniqueness. Love who God has made you to be. Truly believe with all your heart that you're beautiful. Stop trying to let whatever lies you're believing convince you otherwise.

Women have these insecurities and instead of agreeing that all of it is dumb, we try to find things that make us feel better. She might be prettier than me, but at least I'm smart. Her hair is flawless, but I have better friends. Her thighs don't touch, but my sense of style is better anyway. Glad you established the ways you're better than your friend. That's a really healthy thing for a friendship.What if instead of this, we just accepted our differences? What if we were content with being the unique people that we all are?

Maybe her jean size is half yours. Maybe her nose is smaller than yours. Maybe her hair is more voluminous than yours. Maybe her boobs are bigger than yours. Maybe her calves are more defined than yours are. Maybe all these things are true, but why do we tend to believe that having a double-digit jean size, big nose, thinner hair, smaller boobs, and bigger calves doesn't equate to beauty? We believe it because magazines and movies and advertising tells us we should, but what if we just didn't? Those "flaws" you're always super aware of, what if you just viewed them as one more thing that made you the unique, gorgeous individual that you are? This week, when you're feeling down about yourself, actually think about it. Analyze your thoughts and think about this article. Tell yourself you're beautiful not because you have some other decent qualities, but exactly because of the things you think disqualify you from it. You're beautiful, and don't you ever forget it.