In today's society, more often than not, you'll see what's wrong with you. You're not skinny enough. You've got crazy hair and an awkward smile. And that's just what you think when you wake up and roll out of bed, taking an unhappy glance in the mirror. Just wait until you leave for the day and come across the beautiful women made-up like super models. Like where in the hell did she get that skirt? And who taught her to do her eye liner like that?
These girls are typically the same age as you, especially if you're in the same situation as I am. College student living in dorms, surrounded by other college girls. There isn't a day I don't wake up and compare myself to another girl on my floor. Half the time, it's my roommate I'm admiring. Her hair which curls just right. Or her wide, bright, beautiful eyes. I see her everyday and she never ceases to strike me with her beauty.
And this is meant in the least romantic way possible. There isn't a girl I don't know who hasn't stared at another woman and thought her to be the most beautiful person in the world. Unfortunately, we often forget this fact. As we stare in the mirror, critiquing and hating ourselves because we can't look exactly like whoever that beautiful her is that occupies our envious thoughts, we forget that the almighty beautiful her is critiquing and hating herself because she doesn't look like some other girl.
Now, this realization doesn't make those horrible thoughts go away. So what, she doesn't like herself? That doesn't make me like myself more. But it does lend a little perspective. Knowing this teeny, tiny fact allows you to look at her and recognize that we all suffer from the lessons of society. That what makes her beautiful to you, makes her want to change. In today's society, no one is beautiful. Always a woman lacks something, whether that be the angular jaw, the angel-like eyes, the hour-glass figure, or any other feature.
Many times a day I think I should exercise more or eat healthier - never less. I often think I shouldn't nap so much and should probably put forth more effort in preparing for the day. And while I think these things on a pretty regular basis, I haven't really changed that much. Sure, the sit-ups I do on my rug aren't my typical activity, and I crave potato chips as though they are my oxygen. But my routine is the same. My thoughts the same. I still wish I had her hair and her make-up skills. But I've figured out that I may hate myself on bad days, but for the most part, I love who I am. My figure may not break boys' necks. My eyes may not be big and beautiful. I'm too short, too quiet, and too lost in my own world.
But I like me. Not because I look like her or her or her. But because I look like me. I like the way her eyes pop and the shine to her hair. And I like the clothes this other girl wears that I could never pull off. I like another girl's laugh. I've found that I can find a beautiful piece in everyone and they often lead towards other beautiful pieces.
I like to think I have many of those pieces, so I like me.
