now - this is extremely awkward for me to do, mostly because I'm the worst at accepting compliments, let alone giving myself compliments, but its been something I've been struggling with personally, as I'm sure a few of you have been as well.
most people when the meet me see an extremely confident, happy, go lucky girl so for you to hear that i struggle with personal self image and self esteem might be a shock, but its true, and I'm all about speaking the truth here. now I'm not saying this so i can get compliments or sympathy, but i just want girls (and guys alike), to realize that this is a serious issue in out world today and you're not alone.
with social media being such a huge part of our daily lives, we are constantly bombarded wit homages of amazing adventures, beautiful people, and even more amazing bodies, so its no wonder that so many people are insecure about themselves these days. its impossible to live up to these "perfect" social media accounts and these "perfect" people. Ill be the first to admit that i had to unfollow multiple people because i no longer looked at them as motivation to better myself, but i began to envy them. their lives seemed perfect! their amazing closets full of designer clothing that probably costs more than my house, and these wash board abs on brand new moms, i wanted everything they had, so much so that i forgot what i had been blessed with myself. there aren't many 22 year olds who can say they own their own house, have their cars paid off, and have extra money to spend each month. i forgot that i was lucky enough to have all of these things because i was so focused on what everyone else had that i didn't. i was too focused on these "social media queens" that i resented what i had. yeah my house isn't the biggest nicest thing, my body might not be in the best shape, and i sure as hell don't have washboard abs, i have an afro 90% of the time and i get the most random breakouts at the most random times, but guess what? IM HUMAN, and this is my reality and i love it. I'm not perfect, and i couldn't be more stoked that I'm not! being perfect would be boring, and i wouldn't be able to grow and learn from the mistakes I've made.
so for those of you struggling similarly to how i am, I'm going to challenge you to do 4 things.
1: STOP COMPARING
stop. stop it right now. stop comparing yourself to other people, you aren't them and they aren't you. your genetics aren't theirs, and they don't get to be as beautiful and unique as you. yeah i wish i looked like some of these beautiful blonde bloggers, but I'm 1/2 irish, 1/2 polynesian so theres no way in hell thats happening, and guess what?! thats whats so amazing. i am completely me, and you are completely you, and no one gets to be you, and that is the beauty of life.
2: IF ITS NOT HELPING YOU - GET RID OF IT
this includes social media people you're following as well as "friends" who bring you down. If they don't motivate you to be a better you, if they make you feel less then, and if you're constantly comparing your life to theirs, get rid of! unfollow them, unfriend them, and rid them from your life! there is enough stuff in the world trying to bring you down, you shouldn't be willingly following these people who are making you feel less then.
3: MAKE A LIST
make a list of 2 of your strong suits, and 2 things you struggle with, write them down and put them on your mirror. every morning tell yourself that you are great at these things, and say it out loud! i know it sounds goofy, but it seriously helps. it may be uncomfortable at first, but eventually you will get used to it and it will make such a huge difference in how you see yourself
4: POST A SELFIE
lastly, post up a selfie of a time you felt most confident, most beautiful, most handsome, and you were truly happy and openly talk about why you posted this picture!! don't be afraid that people are going to judge you for it, cause the harsh reality is, they're going to judge you anyways, so do what you want!
with that being said, I'm going to break the ice and leave my affirmations and favorite pictures here so you can have someone who is taking this journey with you!
1: i am smart
2: i am giving
3: i am confident
4: i am beautiful
i love this picture because it a true smile, and you are most beautiful when you smile
i feel pretty in this picture, plus how cute is my mom?!
this is the first time I've ever parted my hair down the middle and felt confident about it, so obviously i had to take a selfie. judge me.
this was my first trip with colton after we had become official and it just reminds me of fun happy time, plus i like that i was laughing in this picture and it turned out pretty cute
this was the day i went blonde for the first time and i felt beautiful and so confident in myself, i love looking at this picture and truly feeling how confident i was in myself at this time.
now, i challenge y'all to post a picture of yourself on social media of a time when you felt most beautiful and tag me in it, or hashtag #speakyourtruth so i can see it!!
xoxo leilani
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