I came across this Taylor Swift concert video about a week ago that I can't stop thinking about. In it, she talks about all the things that we tell ourselves we are that we actually aren't, but then she goes on to tell us what we actually aren't. One thing that really stuck out to me was when she says, "You are not damaged goods because you've made mistakes in your life."
I thought on that one line over and over and really let it sink in. I think we beat ourselves up WAY too much nowadays. We let our insecurities, our pasts, and our comparisons to others define who we are. Since when did loving and accepting yourself become such a hassle?!
Recently, I learned a lot about myself and in particular about who I am. I learned it's so easy to slip into thinking about everything I've ever done wrong and let it control me. For a long time I would let others views of me dictate who I was. I was so interested in becoming the person everyone expected me to be, that I lost myself along the way. That was a mistake. There were plenty of other bumps along the way too, plenty of tears, a lot of heartbreak, some little mistakes with a few big ones.
Despite this, I can take an important lesson away from it all: I'm not my mistakes and neither are you. You aren't damaged goods because of that bad break up. You aren't unworthy because the guy didn't choose you. You aren't uncool because your friend group isn't rolling 10+ deep people at the bar. You aren't unlovable because one person fails to see how amazing you are.
You ARE unique, beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made, you are someone who deserves the stars and the moon. More than anything you are your definition of yourself, not anyone else's. You don't have to live your life for the pleasure of others. You also don't have to settle for anything other than everything you've ever wanted.
Don't let your past dictate your future. Don't allow yourself to be held down by things you did years or months ago, heck, maybe things you did 24 hours ago! You can decide to change. I know how cliche that actually sounds, but seriously, don't allow yourself to be brought down by yourself. The world is full of plenty of people who are going to try to do that for you on a daily basis. Instead, remind yourself of your great qualities, of the things you're going to do in this world, of how freaking awesome you are! Even on your off days, know how special you are. Don't sell yourself short or allow anyone else to. You've got more going for you than you think, so don't get in your own way.
Get out of your head and conquer the world!
