I have a good friend named Anna. From the first time I met her I thought she was a really beautiful young woman. Anna however, never looks at herself in the mirror because she has been teased about her body from the time she was small. She told me mirrors remind her of how ugly she is. It’s so sad that Anna believes she is ugly yet this isn’t true.
Unfortunately, our society has welcomed this mentality by defining beauty as outward appearance. That beauty is your height, size, shape or colour. This has made teenagers forever strive to look right in other people’s eyes.

Since the world places celebrities on a pedestal, we teens, will do whatever it takes live up to that standard. We want to look like the hot cover girl or cover boy on trendy magazines. We are forever under pressure to look styled up and the hottest teenager on the block.

When this doesn’t happen, then we get depressed and lose whatever self confidence we once had. Just like my friend Anna we hate our bodies and everything that remind us of who we are. This insecurity hurts our self image and confidence.

Its time to get over our insecurities! We must be confident in the truth that we are beautiful people inside and out. All people are unique and no one in the world can exactly be like you. This in itself is a wonderful reality.

Never apologise and be ashamed of being you. If you are struggling with your image you should know that you are not alone.

Many others are struggling too. What makes you different is your ability to conquer your fears! All that needs to be changed is the way you view yourself.

Ends