We Are Our Own Biggest Critics

A few weeks ago, my friend and I went out and had a mini photo shoot.  It was so much fun, we did it again.  Here are some of my favorites:

BAM!  Look at that bone structure!

And, because it cracks me up every time I see it...

These are pretty pictures, but today I wanted to touch on something a little more serious- societal pressure to be thin/pretty/A CERTAIN WAY.

I want to start this serious conversation by saying this:

You are beautiful just the way you are.

(As soon as I wrote that my brain started singing "Just the Way you Are" by Bruno Mars.)

You have probably heard that before and for good reason- because you don't need to change.  As long as you are healthy, nothing else matters.  Remember that your body is the fortress that keeps you going.  It allows you to do fantastic things like learn french, travel to New Zealand, talk with your best friend, skydive, ect.  So, please, love and respect it.  I want you to go and experience the sweet fruits of life!(:

I have always seen the beauty in other people- doe eyes, big smiles, smooth skin, contagious laughter, kind hearts- and I've tried my hardest to let people see that beauty in themselves.  However, after the photo shoot yesterday, I realized that I don't often see those things in myself when looking at pictures.

Here are some BEAUTIFUL pictures that I actually don't like very much:

I see...large arms, funny back fat, and smeared make-up.

I see...messed up hair and yellow teeth.

I see...weird shaped face.

I see...short body and questionably cute outfit.

I see...weird eyes.

It's horrible, isn't it!?  Why are we so harsh on ourselves?!  It's true what they say- we are our own biggest critics.

After my friend posted 40+ pictures of me on Facebook, I was tempted to go through each one and untag the pictures I thought were unflattering. The worst thing is I usually have such high self-confidence!

It wasn't until I got this uproar of positive feedback that I realized I need to seriously rethink my definition of beauty for myself.  I wish I would have seen it on my own, but I don't think that there is anything wrong with having your friends snap you back into reality sometimes.  So, instead of shredding each picture apart like it's the last round of America's Next Top Model, I vow to see my beauty whenever I see a picture of myself.

Same pictures, different perspective:

I see...my cute, quirky personality and adorable cheeks.

I see...a beautiful smile and kind eyes.

I see...a real 19-year-old woman with a healthy body and glowing skin. 

I see...a really cool picture.  One that I might show Seventeen Magazine if I ever go to model for them. 

I see...BEAUTY.

I'm sending big hugs your way, my friends.  Please, see yourselves the way I see you- DAMN GORGEOUS.

Much Love,

Me