So I got inspired and decided to do something of my own about it. I am insecure about the way I look. When I look in the mirror, it takes a conscious effort to not see everything that needs tweaking and needs improving. My eyes are too big for my head which is overall just too small. I can't do anything with my hair except for a pretty basic braid. Sometimes, my glasses are obnoxious. My teeth aren't perfectly white and they are no more perfectly straight. And that's just from the neck up, don't even get me started on all the other things I don't like about myself.
And if I think about it, I first felt insecure about myself in like the fifth grade. I saw some statistics today that talked about how eating disorders are manifesting in children under the age of 12 way more than they have before. I think we have a huge responsibility for those who are growing up behind us to make things better for them than it was for us. I think if we can't make the planet better or make it so they can live better lives than we have, we should at least make it easier for them to feel comfortable in their own skin. Let's stop the insecurity train here.
I have asked my roommates each to take a selfie in one shot, no retakes and no filters. I also asked a couple guys I know to do the same. Because insecurity knows not gender and I think that's another topic to conquer altogether.
Anyways, here are the pictures I've got. I have talked to almost all of these people about insecurities and personal image issues.
This is Alaura, she's a successful college graduate and is happily engaged to be married in April. She's so smart and always willing to help however she can. I'm constantly asking her health questions and call her Nurse Alaura (because that's what she does). She keeps us all on the right path and makes me want to be a better me. She's really just fantastic.
This is Mariah. She's the second oldest in her family and is super devoted to them. She speaks her mind and isn't afraid to hold back. She tries her best to make sure things get done the best they can and in a timely manner. She's got the purest of intentions and I truly admire her spirit.
This is Sheldon. She is mega talented and definitely going places. She always has a smile on her face and tries to spread that smile to those around her. She speaks her mind and says what she can to help in any situation. She's got a good head on her shoulders and already knows what she wants in life-- and it's definitely going to happen.
This is Allison (we call her Allie). If there is a personified definition of sweet and kind, this girl is it. She is always looking out for everyone around her and I'm pretty sure she doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She is always very put together and collected. She wants to be an elementary school teacher which is so perfect because like I said they don't get sweeter than this girl and elementary school teachers are so important. I am constantly impressed by this girl's character.
Ok this is Allison aka my best friend. I'm super biased about how amazing I think this girl is. She does so much to make sure that everyone else is happy and okay. She really works her butt off for the things she wants most in life. She's amazingly talented and has a contagious singing voice. Basically, everything about this girl is contagious in the best of ways. She really just takes the cake on being amazing and the best friend you could ever ask for. Seriously guys, not even an exaggeration.
This is Cassie. She's kind of hilarious and wonderful and I love this girl. She is always telling jokes and making you laugh. She has a contagious laugh and wants the world to be happy. Personally, I think she seems to be succeeding in making the world a happier place. She has the best laugh in the world and she is so much smarter than she gives herself credit for. Her personality exudes out her pores and the girl glows happiness.
This is Levi. I'm also a little biased about this one. But I think he's amazing. He's a wonderful listener and obviously kind of goofy but in the best ways possible. He always puts a smile on my face even when I don't think that's possible and that's really impressive. He's resilient and strong. He can do anything he sets his mind to. I mean, anyone can but I've seen him do it. He's just great.
This is Jennifer (aka my mom!). She's way awesome. She's such a strong person and she's so cool. I can count on her to be there for me and she's definitely got my best interest at heart. She is also PHENOMENAL at cooking delicious food. If you're feeling down, she can pick you back up again.
This is Emma. I don't really know her but here's some stuff I've learned about her. She is pretty optimistic and that's fantastic. She's outgoing which is so helpful in this world that promotes keeping to yourself anymore. She's effervescent but not overly bubbly which is also fantastic. She served a mission for the LDS church which shows so much dedication and strong faith. And just from this little bit I can tell that she's gotta be pretty strong. Which sounds pretty awesome.
This is Scott. I don't really know him either but here's what I've been told! He's super duper nice and puts his heart in everything he does. He's way sincere which is so fantastic because so many people out in the world aren't. He's always willing to try new things and I think that's awesome because so many people in the world are afraid of the unknown but trying new things really prevents that fear. He's super helpful and way willing to help in anyway that he can. That's way nice because sometimes you just need a little helping hand and you can't always find it. So I think he's cool too.
This is Todd. We're fairly new friends and I've only hung out with him the once but he's pretty cool. He's super funny and can certainly carry a conversation. He's way into sports too. When I first talked to Todd, we were able to connect and become fast friends. To me, this can speak volumes about a person and who they are. If you're comfortable enough with someone that quick, you can handle pretty much anything the world throws at you.
This is Josh. He's Alaura's fiance and that's how I know him. He's a pretty cool dude. He's got sisters which has made it so much easier to talk to him about certain things. He's definitely got his friends' backs and he really cares about people. He treats Alaura like she walks on water and is so obviously in love with her which is so very very important. He's got strong convictions about what he believes and this is important in this ever flexible world. We need dudes like Josh to help us hold strong.
Personally, I prefer my face a little filtered but I know that we don't see the world through the prettiest filter on instagram. We see the world as it really is and I think we (including me) need to do a better job of seeing what's really beautiful in all the world.
We are what is most beautiful and precious in the world. Our personalities and spirits glow through our faces and people see that when we smile. Those things we've grown to accept as imperfections are the very things that make us the best this world has to offer. We don't look like the people on the cover of magazines but not even those people look like the people on the cover of magazines. We need to end the editing and filters. It's time to see real beauty in who we really are. By focusing on the character underneath, the person becomes a more beautiful thing.
I don't have kids but I hope some day I will and I hope that they will know better and sooner than I have that they are beautiful because of their imperfections. We are all beautiful. Not our own kind of beautiful or just beautiful on the inside. I believe the world will stop seeing the imperfections we carry if we stop shouting about them or covering them up with filters and edits.
My name is Eliza. I am not a conventionally beautiful girl. I am not magazine pretty. But I am beautiful in a more real and more important sense. And so are you.
