When was the last time that you looked in the mirror and told yourself, “I love you.” Was it a week ago, a few months ago or maybe sometime last year? Did you stare at yourself for a few minutes with open eyes and notice how much you’ve changed in just that short amount of time? Did you like yourself? Did you like everything? Your ears, your stomach, the color of your eyes, your face before you applied your makeup for the day? Did you feel content; did you still feel like yourself?
Instead of loving every part of your exterior appearance did you begin to overanalyze each tiny imperfection that seemed to stick out a lot more than it had before? Maybe you noticed that you had a few bumps on your once smooth skin or that your nose was starting to develop a weird arch. Despite the “flaws” that stared back at you, did you still feel beautiful?
Some women have no problem admitting that they still feel beautiful; they feel just as good as they always have. But, when we are in situations where we feel insecure, we must remember to accept the beautiful gift of self-acceptance that has been granted to each of us.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to remember this message when we feel societal and other outside pressures pushing us down and making us feel like an outsider. After viewing our appearance, instead of accepting ourselves, some of us design a detailed and life-altering plan to lose weight, visit a plastic surgeon and get colored contacts. We try to fix every single problem area that we notice, which only leaves us wondering why this body that we’ve always had and loved suddenly felt like a foreign place.
This is a piece of advice for the girl who tries to fix everything that makes her special, unique and love herself.
Dear girl unsatisfied with her reflection,
What has the person staring back at you ever done to make you feel so inadequate or so unloved? She may not have the longest legs, the best skin or the whitest smile, but there is something inside of her that is so much more important and meaningful than just a beautiful outside presence. It is her heart. It is genuine and filled with kindness, strength and inspiration. That is the greatest gift of all — having beauty in the area of your life where it matters the most.
People love this girl staring back at you because of the amazing things that she accomplishes every day, not because of what she looks like when she just woke up. People look up to this girl because she knows that she is so much more than just a pretty face. So, next time you start your day by looking in the mirror and carefully viewing your reflection, please remember that although everything might not be perfect, the girl staring back at you is so much more than something pretty to look at. She’s a powerful person, and she should reflect that power on the world.