Love Yourself Boo, Or Nobody Will...

“Pretty girl, pretty girl…why do you cry? When you look into the mirror, tell me do you see inside? Cause you’re so pretty girl, pretty girl.”-Priscilla Renae

Here’s my backstory: Growing up I NEVER fit in any of the categories that were socially acceptable. I have severe eczema, dark skin, short hair, and I’m plus sized; none of which are socially acceptable. People can be so cruel; I remember being teased about my eczema (crazy, right? They teased me over a medical condition in which I had absolutely no control over) but whatever. If I am completely honest with myself, I probably spent most of middle and high school feeling ugly. No guys expressed interest in me. I questioned what was so wrong with me? I found it extremely hard to believe that anyone could ever love me because I couldn’t even fathom up the strength to love me. I vividly remember those hard days of being in the bathroom all alone…singling out every single flaw. My eyes were just too dark; hair was too short, my face was too fat, my stomach was utterly disgusting. But all these qualities made me unique.In turn, I put on a mask of attitude and faked this hard exterior because that is when I felt the most confident. My attitude was the one thing I had control over. I couldn’t change my face or my skin. I could work out but at the end of the day what I felt inside was what desperately needed the change. This insecurity manifested itself in the form of cussin’ people out (yes, potty mouth on level 3000); I was always ready to pop off (a lot of times over absolutely nothing); disrespect towards my teachers resulted in me being kicked out of class constantly and spending lots of time in in-school suspension (ISS). However, I could only keep up with this facade for so long. I spent many nights crying myself to sleep. I spent many days at home with an unexplained attitude and not speaking to absolutely anyone. Had I just spoken up more about what I was feeling maybe my mother would have been able to help me get through it. But as a child, you don't always feel like your parents understand  you.I want to help prevent you all from going through that: or even help you to heal.Too many of my sisters; who are strong, beautiful queens, might I add, have come to me expressing their feelings of inadequacy, and inferiority in comparison to other women.So, here’s my thoughts…I saw a post once that stated “Loving yourself is an act of defiance in a world that would love to see you crumble under pressure to be like someone else.” Be you baby boo. That’s all you were ever intended to be. You were created under God’s divine plan. & you are perfect as is. End of story!Pick your head up queens. Don’t ever let what’s popular in society dictate how you feel about yourself. Societies’ views change like clockwork, but at the end of the day, you still have to be comfortable enough with yourself to keep it pushin’ when others make you feel less adequate. Look at yourself in the mirror and speak life. Words of affirmation will become your best friend. If God had wanted you any other way, he’d have made you that way.You are beautiful. You are wonderfully made. You’re a QUEEN. Beauty radiates from your soul. You have been blessed with the strength to make it through everything that has tried to tear you down.“You are altogether beautiful my; my love. There is no flaw in you. “-Song of Solomon 4:7Stay Beautiful-Latressa