How someone sees you, or how you see yourself can be looked at in many different ways. Self image can mean how other people see your personality, your looks, how you see yourself on the inside, etc. Or, it can mean the person you see when you look in the mirror.
For some people, the mirror is their best friend. Looking beautiful isn't a problem, because they have that long perfect hair and the nice body. For others, it's their worst enemy. You hear about girls (and boys) who struggle with eating disorders, who cry over the fact that they just don't look "normal". But what is normal? In a simple definition, normal basically means "sane". It means you're accepted by society, to conform with an accepted standard.
To me, "normal" is one big insult. It's been that way my whole life. I've never conformed, to anything really. That's why I'm here to tell you that it's okay. You don't have to look like a Barbie doll. You don't have to wear what the pretty girls in school are wearing. It's okay if you have pimples, and you don't have to be 90 pounds, either.
Don't ever let someone make you think that you're less of a person because of the way they view you. Don't ever let anyone force you to change the way you are because they want it that way. That's simply not right.
If you're going to change who you are, make sure it's for you. Not the mean girl or boy taunting you, (who won't mean anything after school is done anyway).
I know some people will say that articles like this have already been published, and these thoughts have already been put out there, but it's never enough. This problem of people thinking they aren't good enough because of looks . . . NEVER stops. And somehow, it always seems to take a suicide or a tragic happening to realize this.
So Whyville, make this one of your summer goals. If you're the one doing the tormenting, stop, and think about what might happen if you take it too far. If you're the other team, walk with your head held high and let the world know that you're not perfect, but you're proud to be who you are.
"I do not need anyone's permission to be my true self."
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Remember, you have one life. ONE chance to be your true self. Don't waste it on the people who don't give you anything but words that don't matter.
Thank you,
Lolypop93
