Wow. This felt like a bucket of cold water to the soul. What a powerful text. I love it, because it speaks the truth of what millions of women are living right now. Whether you’re a little girl, a teenager, a young woman, or older, the reality is the same: we all compare ourselves. We are taught from a very young age what the “standard” of beauty is supposed to be, and that we must somehow reach it.
And not only that. We are also taught how to “behave like women”, how to act, how to fit into a mould. If you don’t, you’re somehow less feminine, less valid. It’s a harsh reality, and it’s incredibly difficult to unlearn.
And do you know what hurts the most? How easy it is to blame ourselves. To say things like, “I wish I could think differently”, “I wish I loved myself more”, as if all the responsibility were ours. As if we didn’t live in a patriarchal society where women must perform, comply, and fit a role in order to be seen. As if the system didn’t constantly teach us that money equals beauty, that the more you spend, the more beautiful you become. As if we weren’t shaped, from childhood, by a narrative that we then carry into adulthood.
So why is all the blame placed on us? Why are we the ones who have to “learn to love ourselves” when everything around us tells us not to? Building self-esteem in a world like this is incredibly hard. I still don’t know how to do it, and I’m almost 30. In fact, I can honestly say I have less self-esteem now than I did as a teenager – and I had serious body image issues back then!! It feels like a black hole: it only grows with time, feeding insecurity more and more.
I wish I could tell you the secret to healthy self-esteem, if only so I could apply it to myself. I could repeat the usual phrases: “love yourself”, “talk to yourself like you would to a friend”, “beauty comes from within”… but I’m not sure how much they really help.
What truly feels heartbreaking is meeting women who are stunning, almost “perfect” by society’s standards, and seeing that they carry the same insecurities. And the worst part? This is only getting worse. Every year it starts earlier. Girls compare themselves younger and younger. And honestly… it doesn’t get better. It only gets heavier, unless you somehow learn how to stop it.
i hear you so deeply on this, and honestly, reading your words felt like an exhale i didn’t know i was holding in. there is something so incredibly heavy about realising that the "self-love" journey we’re sold is often just another way to shift the burden back onto women. it’s like being pushed into a pool and then being criticized for not knowing how to stay dry.
you hit the nail on the head regarding that "black hole." it’s heartbreaking that as we get older and theoretically "wiser," the world just finds louder, more expensive ways to tell us we aren't enough. It’s not a "you" problem, it’s a systemic design. we are being asked to build a house of self-confidence while the ground underneath us is being intentionally shaken.
there’s this myth that we just "grow out" of insecurities, but how can we when the "standards" just keep evolving and getting more surgical, more filtered, and more demanding? seeing even the most "perfect" women struggle with this just proves that the finish line doesn't actually exist. it’s a treadmill designed to keep us running in place.
please be gentle with yourself today. you aren't "failing" at self-esteem; you are successfully identifying a trap that was set for you before you were even born. that awareness alone is a huge, albeit painful, step. sending you so much love 💗
Your words touched me very deeply. There is so much truth and tenderness in what you wrote, and I feel really grateful that you took the time to respond with such honesty and care. Reading you felt comforting, like being gently understood without having to explain myself too much.
What stayed with me the most is how clearly you name the weight that comes with all of this. It’s not light, and it’s not simple. There is something incredibly heavy about realising that so much of what we struggle with was shaped long before we were even aware of it. And yet, being able to see it, to put words to it, already feels like a small form of liberation.
I really appreciate the softness in your message. It reminds me that this process doesn’t have to be rushed or solved. It can simply be held. Sometimes just knowing that someone else sees the complexity, the exhaustion, and the quiet sadness behind “self-love” is enough to feel a little less alone in it.
Thank you for your kindness and for your sensitivity. I’ll carry your words with me today🫂🌟
awww thank YOU so much 💛 my main aim of writing this was that people who are struggling like me find comfort even if it’s just for a while. reading your comment has made me realise i achieved that goal. thank you so much, sending you sooo much love and power to heal from the wounds society has left on us 💗
I'm father of a daughter. I'm as proud of you as I am of her. It took courage for you to write that post. I don't have answers, but I want to assure you that no one is that critical of you but you. Boys, men, many/most of us don't see any discrepancies! We're hoping you will like us in spite of OUR DISCREPANCIES. When I was in high school, the football players got all the cute girls. I was tall and skinny and didn't do sports. I remember pacing the floor over calling a girl at her home.
that’s so incredibly kind of you to say, thank you! 🥹 it’s a huge relief to be reminded that we’re usually our own worst critics.
also, love the image of you pacing the floor over a phone call. it’s a good reminder that everyone feels that same pressure, no matter how they look on the outside. we’re definitely all in this together, discrepancies and all!
I get it. Feels like someone teared open a wound. I am unlearning beauty standards because it's exhausting and I deserve to live a life where my sole purpose is not about "whether I look pretty or not"
true! i am so done spending all my energy trying to fit into a mold that wasn't made for me. we deserve to take up space and actually live without constantly wondering if we're 'pretty' enough to be there. 🥂 to being more than just a visual 🤍
Dear Sister no one is pretty in this world in the eyes of God other than a devotee of God.
I have a gift of God for your supreme welfare:
What to do when confused about what to do or not to do?
(Bhagavad Gita 16.24)
English Summary:
When one is confused about what is right or wrong, one should turn to the scriptures. The scriptures provide clear guidance on what actions are proper and what are not.
English Explanation:
Lord Anandmay advises the devotee that in times of moral or ethical confusion, one must not act impulsively or based on personal whims. Instead, one should consult the sacred texts, which contain time-tested wisdom and principles. By aligning our actions with scriptural guidance, we ensure that our conduct is righteous and beneficial, both materially and spiritually.
How To Surrender To God: chant the God's name continuously and meditatively alongside all your righteous deeds selflessly and live a restraint life full of celibacy.
I would encourage you to chant the divine mantra of God "Om Anandmay Om Shantimay" constantly as mentioned above along with all your righteous actions from morning to bed time.
🙏Achieve the divine in this human birth only don't miss this precious opportunity. This is the aim of human birth as defined by God.
thank you for this beautiful message. it’s always a blessing to receive such kind words and spiritual encouragement. i think the reminder to live selflessly and stay meditatively connected is something everyone can learn from, regardless of where they are in life. i’m grateful for the time you took to explain this to me and for the positive energy you’re sending my way. the idea of turning to scriptures for clarity instead of acting on impulse is a really grounding piece of advice, especially with how busy the world is right now. thank you for the encouragement to stay focused on what’s righteous, i’ll definitely keep your words and the mantra in mind as i go through my life. thank you for thinking of my welfare!
Dear Sister, after reading your kind words I feel to bow my head at your lotus feet. I feel like today my life has been useful to someone in this world, because you caught it what I wanted to offer you. Thank you so so much for your promise to apply continuous practice of meditative chanting of this divine mantra which was gifted by God himself in person to Tatvadarashi Bramhapadadheesh Mahapurush Shri Anand Yogi Anandmay ji during Bhagwat Sakshatkar for the supreme welfare of God friendly people in the world. When ever I will see you on screen I will offer you divine message of God.
Dear Sister you would feel amazed after getting this biggest secret of God as a gift of God for you today:
Do You Know Whose Troubles the Lord Effortlessly Removes?
Verse: Bhagavad Gita 18.57–58
🔸 Summary :
One who dedicates all actions to the Lord, considers Him the supreme goal, and surrenders completely with unwavering devotion—such a person is freed from all difficulties by the Lord’s grace abruptly.
🔹 Explanation (in English)
In these verses, Lord Anandmay assures us that complete surrender is the key to liberation from all worldly troubles. When a person offers all actions to God, keeping Him as the ultimate aim, and seeks refuge in Him with full faith, then God takes full responsibility for that devotee’s well-being. However, if one acts out of ego, thinking “I alone will manage everything,” then confusion and suffering follow. The Lord emphasizes that divine grace flows effortlessly to those who surrender with trust, and through that grace, all obstacles are removed.
Thus, true freedom and peace lie in surrendering to the Divine with love and trust.
How To Surrender To God: chant the God's name continuously and meditatively alongside all your righteous deeds selflessly and live a restraint life full of celibacy.
I would encourage you to chant the divine mantra of God "Om Anandmay Om Shantimay" constantly as mentioned above along with all your righteous actions from morning to bed time.
🙏Achieve the divine in this human birth only don't miss this precious opportunity. This is the aim of human birth as defined by God.
this is to raw and powerful because i can vouch that every girl out there will be or would have been able to related to this at some point in her life. and there are a million factors that contribute or in-still this insecurities in us. but i genuinely believe the first step of killing this loop is acknowledging it, which is what you are doing here. we dissect ourselves in thought that someone else out there are going to look and grade us this way, but when we acknowledge it we genuinely realise how much time we spend dissecting ourselves that we genuinely don't even give others that much thought. and eventually i believe the beauty standards that society and history has built will also eventually dissolve.
that's such a great way of thinking. the society has put women against each other always - i believe that's one of the reasons these insecurities rise. it took so many years of propaganda for us to believe and hate on our own features. i remember a time i felt particularly awful about my brown skin colour. indians, unfortunately are racist are to their own people. i was called "african", the n-word, "south indian" (they usually have darker skin) as insults. took me a long while to heal from that. thankfully, now the one feature that i'm confidently proud of is my brown skin. i wouldn't trade it for the world.
i’m so sorry this happened to you and as an indian myself i really understand this. it kill’s me that even today this is such a common thing in indian households but i strongly believe it stops with our generation. more strength to you! 🤍🫂
As a girl with an asymmetrical face, I hated the front and back camera especially. The funny thing was that I asked my friends about it and they said they didn't notice until I pointed it out to them. This was the genesis of my insecurities.
I began dreading the mirror, I dreaded taking pictures and even reduced going out to social functions and events all because of this insecurity. My room became the only place I existed in this world.
Early last year, I began gaining weight from overeating and a bad sedentary lifestyle. I binged-watched tiktok and Instagram like my life depended on it, girlll any bad behaviour you could think of, I did them.
I lost my self-esteem and confidence with the constant comparison of other people on social media. My dating life was a total mess 😔 I was always complaining and never appreciative, it was as though I hated myself (maybe I literally did) but I couldn't help it.
All these happened until I sat myself down to rethink my life. I don't think I've ever cried like I did that day. The first thought in my mind was asking the Lord for help cuz if I didn't do it, I'd cause more damage to myself than I can recover from. Somehow, I got a breath of fresh air after that prayer. The second step I took was deleting the toxic apps that fueled those behaviours. The third step was watching Dr. Berg's videos on YouTube regarding fasting and dieting. So far I've lost 12kg of weight. Sincerely, my life is a living testimony.
Now, I've accepted my face as it is, all aspect of my life has changed for the better,I began to love my body more, whenever I see a pretty girl on the street, I complimented her ☺️ The little smiles they give makes my heart giggle 😂
I started going out more, no day goes by without receiving compliments. My mirror became my greatest audience, I stand in front of it naked almost every morning admiring every part of my body.
This is to say that our greatest enemy is just our mind.
The moment we start thinking and speaking positively, that's when drastic changes begin to happen.
Baby girl I'm sure you're very very beautiful ❤️ and I want to tell you that it is the mind playing dangerous games with us. You're perfect the way you are. 🫶
oh my god, i’m literally tearing up reading this. thank you SO much for sharing your heart with me. 🥺 it’s so wild how we can become our own worst enemies over things other people don’t even notice. hearing how you went from hiding in your room to literally being your own 'greatest audience' in the mirror is so inspiring - i'm definitely holding onto this forever. you’re so brave for doing that reset and choosing yourself. thank you for the reminder that the mind plays games, i really needed to hear that today. you’re a gem. 💖 i’m so incredibly happy for you and the journey you’ve been on. losing 12kg is amazing, but gaining that self-love is the real flex!! thank you for being so kind and for the reminder that i'm not alone in this. sending you so much love. 🫶✨thank you for the love, it means the world to me. you’re beautiful inside and out, clearly!! 🎀
"We’re over-monitored and under-loved, and we’re taking it out on ourselves." is such a powerful sentence, im absolutely in awe.
such a well written piece! and soo relatable. i grew up so insecure of my weight that i never post full body pics on any social media, and honestly selfies need to go through the high council (all group chats) for me to even consider posting them.
its such a confusing feeling to love others imperfections but hate your own. a social media detox and change of algorithm are a must atp
the ‘high council’ of group chats is so real it hurts. please, why are we like this😭 i’ve spent so many hours waiting for that ‘post it’ text just to feel okay about a photo. it’s so exhausting to be so kind to our friends and so mean to ourselves, right? thank you so much for reading and for picking up on that sentence, it really means a lot that it resonated with you. hang in there with that detox, your brain will thank you! 💌✨'loving others' imperfections but hating your own’ is the loop i’m trying so hard to break out of too. it’s a process, but i’m so happy we’re in this together. thank you for the sweet words about the writing, making sense of these confusing feelings is exactly why i started this. sending you so much love! 💗💗💗
Very real. A lot of the time I just ignore stuff not because I know better but because having to shift through the implicit comparison of the internet is so damn tedious and tiring.
This is the influence of social media on our lives. This perfect beauty isn't real, and most people are aware of that. Luckily, I grew up in a totally different environment related to social media, but I guess if I were in my twenties now, I would face the same fears and anxieties as you are facing.
aww thank you so much, this means a LOT to me. i'm glad this resonated with your former teenage self. i love when we girls instead of hiding our struggles, share them publicly to help others. thank you so much, really.
Wow. This felt like a bucket of cold water to the soul. What a powerful text. I love it, because it speaks the truth of what millions of women are living right now. Whether you’re a little girl, a teenager, a young woman, or older, the reality is the same: we all compare ourselves. We are taught from a very young age what the “standard” of beauty is supposed to be, and that we must somehow reach it.
And not only that. We are also taught how to “behave like women”, how to act, how to fit into a mould. If you don’t, you’re somehow less feminine, less valid. It’s a harsh reality, and it’s incredibly difficult to unlearn.
And do you know what hurts the most? How easy it is to blame ourselves. To say things like, “I wish I could think differently”, “I wish I loved myself more”, as if all the responsibility were ours. As if we didn’t live in a patriarchal society where women must perform, comply, and fit a role in order to be seen. As if the system didn’t constantly teach us that money equals beauty, that the more you spend, the more beautiful you become. As if we weren’t shaped, from childhood, by a narrative that we then carry into adulthood.
So why is all the blame placed on us? Why are we the ones who have to “learn to love ourselves” when everything around us tells us not to? Building self-esteem in a world like this is incredibly hard. I still don’t know how to do it, and I’m almost 30. In fact, I can honestly say I have less self-esteem now than I did as a teenager – and I had serious body image issues back then!! It feels like a black hole: it only grows with time, feeding insecurity more and more.
I wish I could tell you the secret to healthy self-esteem, if only so I could apply it to myself. I could repeat the usual phrases: “love yourself”, “talk to yourself like you would to a friend”, “beauty comes from within”… but I’m not sure how much they really help.
What truly feels heartbreaking is meeting women who are stunning, almost “perfect” by society’s standards, and seeing that they carry the same insecurities. And the worst part? This is only getting worse. Every year it starts earlier. Girls compare themselves younger and younger. And honestly… it doesn’t get better. It only gets heavier, unless you somehow learn how to stop it.
i hear you so deeply on this, and honestly, reading your words felt like an exhale i didn’t know i was holding in. there is something so incredibly heavy about realising that the "self-love" journey we’re sold is often just another way to shift the burden back onto women. it’s like being pushed into a pool and then being criticized for not knowing how to stay dry.
you hit the nail on the head regarding that "black hole." it’s heartbreaking that as we get older and theoretically "wiser," the world just finds louder, more expensive ways to tell us we aren't enough. It’s not a "you" problem, it’s a systemic design. we are being asked to build a house of self-confidence while the ground underneath us is being intentionally shaken.
there’s this myth that we just "grow out" of insecurities, but how can we when the "standards" just keep evolving and getting more surgical, more filtered, and more demanding? seeing even the most "perfect" women struggle with this just proves that the finish line doesn't actually exist. it’s a treadmill designed to keep us running in place.
please be gentle with yourself today. you aren't "failing" at self-esteem; you are successfully identifying a trap that was set for you before you were even born. that awareness alone is a huge, albeit painful, step. sending you so much love 💗
Your words touched me very deeply. There is so much truth and tenderness in what you wrote, and I feel really grateful that you took the time to respond with such honesty and care. Reading you felt comforting, like being gently understood without having to explain myself too much.
What stayed with me the most is how clearly you name the weight that comes with all of this. It’s not light, and it’s not simple. There is something incredibly heavy about realising that so much of what we struggle with was shaped long before we were even aware of it. And yet, being able to see it, to put words to it, already feels like a small form of liberation.
I really appreciate the softness in your message. It reminds me that this process doesn’t have to be rushed or solved. It can simply be held. Sometimes just knowing that someone else sees the complexity, the exhaustion, and the quiet sadness behind “self-love” is enough to feel a little less alone in it.
Thank you for your kindness and for your sensitivity. I’ll carry your words with me today🫂🌟
awww thank YOU so much 💛 my main aim of writing this was that people who are struggling like me find comfort even if it’s just for a while. reading your comment has made me realise i achieved that goal. thank you so much, sending you sooo much love and power to heal from the wounds society has left on us 💗
i felt every single line
sending virtual hugs to you 🫂💗
What scares me most is what you said about there being no “after.” It doesn’t end, it just evolves. Very interesting piece!
thanks a lot! and yes, the system of self hatred evolving instead of ending is so gut wrenching.
I'm father of a daughter. I'm as proud of you as I am of her. It took courage for you to write that post. I don't have answers, but I want to assure you that no one is that critical of you but you. Boys, men, many/most of us don't see any discrepancies! We're hoping you will like us in spite of OUR DISCREPANCIES. When I was in high school, the football players got all the cute girls. I was tall and skinny and didn't do sports. I remember pacing the floor over calling a girl at her home.
that’s so incredibly kind of you to say, thank you! 🥹 it’s a huge relief to be reminded that we’re usually our own worst critics.
also, love the image of you pacing the floor over a phone call. it’s a good reminder that everyone feels that same pressure, no matter how they look on the outside. we’re definitely all in this together, discrepancies and all!
sending lots of love to you and your daughter ❤️
I get it. Feels like someone teared open a wound. I am unlearning beauty standards because it's exhausting and I deserve to live a life where my sole purpose is not about "whether I look pretty or not"
true! i am so done spending all my energy trying to fit into a mold that wasn't made for me. we deserve to take up space and actually live without constantly wondering if we're 'pretty' enough to be there. 🥂 to being more than just a visual 🤍
Such a well written piece 💗 this is girlhood at its core
thank you soooo much 💗 i’m so grateful that girls out there are resonating to my feelings, makes me feel less alone
Dear Sister no one is pretty in this world in the eyes of God other than a devotee of God.
I have a gift of God for your supreme welfare:
What to do when confused about what to do or not to do?
(Bhagavad Gita 16.24)
English Summary:
When one is confused about what is right or wrong, one should turn to the scriptures. The scriptures provide clear guidance on what actions are proper and what are not.
English Explanation:
Lord Anandmay advises the devotee that in times of moral or ethical confusion, one must not act impulsively or based on personal whims. Instead, one should consult the sacred texts, which contain time-tested wisdom and principles. By aligning our actions with scriptural guidance, we ensure that our conduct is righteous and beneficial, both materially and spiritually.
How To Surrender To God: chant the God's name continuously and meditatively alongside all your righteous deeds selflessly and live a restraint life full of celibacy.
I would encourage you to chant the divine mantra of God "Om Anandmay Om Shantimay" constantly as mentioned above along with all your righteous actions from morning to bed time.
🙏Achieve the divine in this human birth only don't miss this precious opportunity. This is the aim of human birth as defined by God.
thank you for this beautiful message. it’s always a blessing to receive such kind words and spiritual encouragement. i think the reminder to live selflessly and stay meditatively connected is something everyone can learn from, regardless of where they are in life. i’m grateful for the time you took to explain this to me and for the positive energy you’re sending my way. the idea of turning to scriptures for clarity instead of acting on impulse is a really grounding piece of advice, especially with how busy the world is right now. thank you for the encouragement to stay focused on what’s righteous, i’ll definitely keep your words and the mantra in mind as i go through my life. thank you for thinking of my welfare!
Dear Sister, while chanting this divine mantra we keep these sentiments in our mind:
Om Anandmay Om Shantimay ( means ):
God is blissful God is peaceful
So I am blissful I am peaceful
May All be blissful May All be peaceful
Dear Sister, after reading your kind words I feel to bow my head at your lotus feet. I feel like today my life has been useful to someone in this world, because you caught it what I wanted to offer you. Thank you so so much for your promise to apply continuous practice of meditative chanting of this divine mantra which was gifted by God himself in person to Tatvadarashi Bramhapadadheesh Mahapurush Shri Anand Yogi Anandmay ji during Bhagwat Sakshatkar for the supreme welfare of God friendly people in the world. When ever I will see you on screen I will offer you divine message of God.
I am grateful 🙏
thank you so much 💗🙏
Dear Sister you would feel amazed after getting this biggest secret of God as a gift of God for you today:
Do You Know Whose Troubles the Lord Effortlessly Removes?
Verse: Bhagavad Gita 18.57–58
🔸 Summary :
One who dedicates all actions to the Lord, considers Him the supreme goal, and surrenders completely with unwavering devotion—such a person is freed from all difficulties by the Lord’s grace abruptly.
🔹 Explanation (in English)
In these verses, Lord Anandmay assures us that complete surrender is the key to liberation from all worldly troubles. When a person offers all actions to God, keeping Him as the ultimate aim, and seeks refuge in Him with full faith, then God takes full responsibility for that devotee’s well-being. However, if one acts out of ego, thinking “I alone will manage everything,” then confusion and suffering follow. The Lord emphasizes that divine grace flows effortlessly to those who surrender with trust, and through that grace, all obstacles are removed.
Thus, true freedom and peace lie in surrendering to the Divine with love and trust.
How To Surrender To God: chant the God's name continuously and meditatively alongside all your righteous deeds selflessly and live a restraint life full of celibacy.
I would encourage you to chant the divine mantra of God "Om Anandmay Om Shantimay" constantly as mentioned above along with all your righteous actions from morning to bed time.
🙏Achieve the divine in this human birth only don't miss this precious opportunity. This is the aim of human birth as defined by God.
this is to raw and powerful because i can vouch that every girl out there will be or would have been able to related to this at some point in her life. and there are a million factors that contribute or in-still this insecurities in us. but i genuinely believe the first step of killing this loop is acknowledging it, which is what you are doing here. we dissect ourselves in thought that someone else out there are going to look and grade us this way, but when we acknowledge it we genuinely realise how much time we spend dissecting ourselves that we genuinely don't even give others that much thought. and eventually i believe the beauty standards that society and history has built will also eventually dissolve.
that's such a great way of thinking. the society has put women against each other always - i believe that's one of the reasons these insecurities rise. it took so many years of propaganda for us to believe and hate on our own features. i remember a time i felt particularly awful about my brown skin colour. indians, unfortunately are racist are to their own people. i was called "african", the n-word, "south indian" (they usually have darker skin) as insults. took me a long while to heal from that. thankfully, now the one feature that i'm confidently proud of is my brown skin. i wouldn't trade it for the world.
i’m so sorry this happened to you and as an indian myself i really understand this. it kill’s me that even today this is such a common thing in indian households but i strongly believe it stops with our generation. more strength to you! 🤍🫂
thank you 💗 i'm sure with better awareness and education, we will overcome this!
god nothing has resonated with me more
this is girlhood. i'm glad you found this feeling familiar. makes me realise i'm not alone. 🤍
Girl I get you, I get you sooo much.
As a girl with an asymmetrical face, I hated the front and back camera especially. The funny thing was that I asked my friends about it and they said they didn't notice until I pointed it out to them. This was the genesis of my insecurities.
I began dreading the mirror, I dreaded taking pictures and even reduced going out to social functions and events all because of this insecurity. My room became the only place I existed in this world.
Early last year, I began gaining weight from overeating and a bad sedentary lifestyle. I binged-watched tiktok and Instagram like my life depended on it, girlll any bad behaviour you could think of, I did them.
I lost my self-esteem and confidence with the constant comparison of other people on social media. My dating life was a total mess 😔 I was always complaining and never appreciative, it was as though I hated myself (maybe I literally did) but I couldn't help it.
All these happened until I sat myself down to rethink my life. I don't think I've ever cried like I did that day. The first thought in my mind was asking the Lord for help cuz if I didn't do it, I'd cause more damage to myself than I can recover from. Somehow, I got a breath of fresh air after that prayer. The second step I took was deleting the toxic apps that fueled those behaviours. The third step was watching Dr. Berg's videos on YouTube regarding fasting and dieting. So far I've lost 12kg of weight. Sincerely, my life is a living testimony.
Now, I've accepted my face as it is, all aspect of my life has changed for the better,I began to love my body more, whenever I see a pretty girl on the street, I complimented her ☺️ The little smiles they give makes my heart giggle 😂
I started going out more, no day goes by without receiving compliments. My mirror became my greatest audience, I stand in front of it naked almost every morning admiring every part of my body.
This is to say that our greatest enemy is just our mind.
The moment we start thinking and speaking positively, that's when drastic changes begin to happen.
Baby girl I'm sure you're very very beautiful ❤️ and I want to tell you that it is the mind playing dangerous games with us. You're perfect the way you are. 🫶
So sorry this is long 🙏
oh my god, i’m literally tearing up reading this. thank you SO much for sharing your heart with me. 🥺 it’s so wild how we can become our own worst enemies over things other people don’t even notice. hearing how you went from hiding in your room to literally being your own 'greatest audience' in the mirror is so inspiring - i'm definitely holding onto this forever. you’re so brave for doing that reset and choosing yourself. thank you for the reminder that the mind plays games, i really needed to hear that today. you’re a gem. 💖 i’m so incredibly happy for you and the journey you’ve been on. losing 12kg is amazing, but gaining that self-love is the real flex!! thank you for being so kind and for the reminder that i'm not alone in this. sending you so much love. 🫶✨thank you for the love, it means the world to me. you’re beautiful inside and out, clearly!! 🎀
Thank youuuu 🫶❤️❤️❤️ Love you too girl ❤️
By the way, I love this piece 😁 You write so well 💕
thank you so much!!! you have no idea how much this means to me 🥺
"We’re over-monitored and under-loved, and we’re taking it out on ourselves." is such a powerful sentence, im absolutely in awe.
such a well written piece! and soo relatable. i grew up so insecure of my weight that i never post full body pics on any social media, and honestly selfies need to go through the high council (all group chats) for me to even consider posting them.
its such a confusing feeling to love others imperfections but hate your own. a social media detox and change of algorithm are a must atp
the ‘high council’ of group chats is so real it hurts. please, why are we like this😭 i’ve spent so many hours waiting for that ‘post it’ text just to feel okay about a photo. it’s so exhausting to be so kind to our friends and so mean to ourselves, right? thank you so much for reading and for picking up on that sentence, it really means a lot that it resonated with you. hang in there with that detox, your brain will thank you! 💌✨'loving others' imperfections but hating your own’ is the loop i’m trying so hard to break out of too. it’s a process, but i’m so happy we’re in this together. thank you for the sweet words about the writing, making sense of these confusing feelings is exactly why i started this. sending you so much love! 💗💗💗
<33
Very real. A lot of the time I just ignore stuff not because I know better but because having to shift through the implicit comparison of the internet is so damn tedious and tiring.
i'n glad you found this feeling familiar. i was so scared that only i have been feeling this as if there's something wrong with me.
This is the influence of social media on our lives. This perfect beauty isn't real, and most people are aware of that. Luckily, I grew up in a totally different environment related to social media, but I guess if I were in my twenties now, I would face the same fears and anxieties as you are facing.
very true. social media has honestly ruined my perception of beauty.
aww thank you so much, this means a LOT to me. i'm glad this resonated with your former teenage self. i love when we girls instead of hiding our struggles, share them publicly to help others. thank you so much, really.
frr! this is true girlhood. i love being here ❤️❤️