Beecoming Jess
At the age of 24, I can finally say that I love myself!
Loving yourself is the greatest revolution, but it is also one of the hardest things to do. It has taken me my whole life to look myself in the mirror and say, "you are beautiful." I'm comfortable in my own skin and confident in the person I have become. It's honestly taken me years to get to this point in my life. It's amazing how much all the negative in your childhood can affect you later on in your adult life.
Growing up, I was never considered one of the "popular" or "cool" kids. I went to a parochial grade school, with pretty much the same kids all 8 years. So the hopes of me fitting in or being liked by boys was just never going to happen. This is when the opinion of others became an obsession. These same feelings carried with me through high school. I was excited to start high school, I mean who isn't? I was ready for a fresh start: new people, new campus, "new me." I thought it was the perfect opportunity for people to get to know the real me. Well, high school was just a repeat of grade school and was four years of hell. I could have lived without the high school experience; it was a lot of unnecessary drama. Trying so hard to fit in with everyone and not being true to myself. Obsessing over my looks hoping that others would think I was beautiful, pretty, or cute. Makeup was my security blanket; I would not leave the house without a full face on. How pathetic! I ended high school with the lowest self-esteem and major body dysmorphia.
College was a different experience. I attended the local university where everyone who decided to stay home for college went. But, there were so many people that I rarely saw anyone I knew from my past. I met my best friend the first day of college; it was awesome. College helped me overcome my obsession with the opinions of others. It enabled me to stop caring about how others perceived me. What does it matter to all these random people I've never met before what I look like? It all became irrelevant. I was there for one thing only, to learn! This new mindset is what got me through all 5 years of college in one piece.
Now at 24 years old I've come to the conclusion that I'm not going to be everyone's cup of tea, and that is perfect okay. I'm secure with who I am and know that I am a good human being. No one else can define my beauty but ME! I will no longer give other people that power. I love my flaws, in fact I embrace them. I've realized that there is so much more to life then what I look like, what clothes I wear, or the things I own. None of that matters if you don't love yourself! Being happy with who you are is such a beautiful thing. I love the person I've become because I fought so damn hard to become her! If you knew me in the past, I promise I'm a different person now. So get to know the real Jess :)
"I am obsessed with becoming a women comfortable in her skin."
Being comfortable in your own skin gives people the opportunity to get to know the real you. Don't be afraid to share yourself with others: your dreams, goals, and aspirations in life. Showing vulnerability doesn't make you weak, it gives you strength.
love, Jess