I have a confession to make… I’m not quite sure how to write this so that the message comes across the way I hope it will. I thought about writing this anonymously, but I decided against it. I do find it rather sad, though, that I even considered that idea. Have we really come to this? Anyway: I think I’m pretty.
Phew, that’s out of the way. I find it’s become difficult to openly say that you think you’re beautiful without coming across as the pretentious prom queen. Yes, sometimes I look at myself in the mirror after putting on my makeup and say to myself, “WOW, you’re pretty hot!” And just to be clear, I’m not saying I’m a 10—I’m no femme fatale either. I have bags under my eyes and acne scars that just won’t fade… well, here I go again. Why can’t we just tell ourselves that we find ourselves desirable without feeling like we have to justify it or put ourselves down in the process? Why do women do that—focus more on their flaws than their good points? I understand that some women really feel less comfortable in their own skin—I’m not saying all women see themselves the same way—but women who find themselves beautiful shouldn’t be embarrassed by their beauty. Beauty is expressed in so many different ways. Even if we’re not all the same, we’re all beautiful in our own way, aren’t we?
Why do I feel so embarrassed to tell my friend—who weighs 30 lbs more than I do—how much I weigh? She shouldn’t feel embarrassed about having more curves than I do, just as I shouldn’t feel embarrassed about finally reaching the weight I set for myself. At the same time, I worked hard to get to this weight, so why am I embarrassed to talk about it? Even though my friend also makes sacrifices to reach a certain number on the scale, I think she can be happy for me about the progress I’ve made and the look I’m happy with. Just as I think she’s very beautiful, even if she hasn’t finished working on her dream figure.
So, please, dear readers, you’re all beautiful in your own way—and be proud of it. Of course, there will always be those skeletal bra models to make us question ourselves and compare ourselves to others, but let’s be realistic for a moment (by the way, I find the plus-size bra model even more stunning than the stick-thin ones). Beauty doesn’t come from bones visible through paper-thin skin. Beauty can be easily enhanced by beautiful makeup, a great haircut, but even more so by healthy self-esteem.
You’re gorgeous, my dear. Flash your most beautiful smile and let your eyes sparkle—go show the world just how radiant you are. You’re perfect just the way you are, and never be embarrassed by that.