Sixteen-year-old me won’t even read this article. For all she knew, the whole world paid attention to the slight bend in her right knee when she walked, the skin tags on her face and the very tiny moles scattered around her cheeks. Sixteen-year-old me bothered my mom to no end about the gap between her teeth.
I mean, it’s not a bad thing to want braces to straighten out your teeth, it, in fact, helps with jaw alignment. But I was so obsessed with finding every flaw, it was all I could think about. I guess it’s common among teenagers. You’re still trying to fit into your new body and figure out if you like it.
But here’s why I stopped obsessing.
I’m one of a kind
I may not look exactly like that Instagram model, or at that time, the girl in the magazine, but I’m specially made just the way I am. And if you check twice, the Instagram model probably does not look like the Instagram model. She most likely had to work for that look. Either with cosmetics, some modification or a drastic lifestyle change. Of course, these things aren’t terrible. But they are as a matter of choice. And since I was not going to choose anytime soon to have work done, I decided instead to love all my flaws and imperfections.
The face I have now is the face I may want to have in 10 years
Ten years ago, I had zero acne. Nada. My face was as smooth as a baby’s bottom. But instead, I focused on the tiny, almost unnoticeable natural moles I inherited from my grandma and probably to be passed unto my kids. Now, I see it as beauty marks, and I’ve gotten so many nice compliments from it.
No matter how much sunscreen you wear, you’re still going to age even a little. And if I don’t love my face now, I may look back at that face or body and want that in ten, twenty or thirty years. I’m learning to appreciate every stage I find myself in while working to be the best version of said self.
I’m constantly learning about the things that make me feel and look my best
When you know the self-care practices that make you feel like your best self, and you constantly practice them, you focus less on flaws and imperfections. Things like meditative and exercise yoga, working out, cardio and eating healthy makes me feel amazing. And in the long run, these healthy self-care practices do wonders for my physical as well as mental state of mind.
Find the healthy ways to practice self care. It could be lifestyle practices or a simple spa day, fresh manicure or a new bag. As long as you are healthy in mind and body, you don’t need to worry about how whatever natural imperfections you may have.
So, loves, love yourself and work everyday to feel happy and fulfilled.