Dear younger girl,

You know that pursuing today’s unrealistic “appearance ideal” will cost you more than just money. Yes, you can buy new clothes, start tanning, dye your hair and buy fancy makeup, but will that be enough to make you happy?

You’ll skip lunch to run a mile, and forget breakfast; you have to do your hair and makeup so you can look good today. That homework didn’t get done because you spent all night looking at yourself in the mirror, picking apart your imperfections.

Your relationships, grades and health will suffer. I’m asking you, please do not try to live up to this ideal. It is not beautiful; it’s harmful. You don’t need to hit the gym every night and do cardio until you’re too tired to keep going, and you need to eat because not only is food fuel for your growing body, it’s also not your enemy.

Don’t worry about what others think or say, I know it’s hard but trust me; it’s possible.

Eat what makes you feel good.

Wear what makes you feel good

Do what makes you feel good.

You’ll be happy, healthy and confident; and that’s true beauty.