I teach teens. Are you a teen? Do you remember what it's like to be a teenager?
Because of journaling, I have very vivid (and fond and embarrassing) memories of being an adolescent. One thing stands out quite clearly. I remember looking in the mirror and seeing this:
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| Source |
When I actually looked like this:
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| Source (Not actually me. Ahem.) |
At some point, I think we all do that. Do you do that now? If you do, stop. You are amazing the way you are, and you need to see the beauty in yourself--especially the kind that's deeper than skin.
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I decided a long time ago not to make looks my first priority. Do I want to look right for the occasion? Yes but I don't plan to kill off myself or make myself feel bad for not fitting into someone else's definition of beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'd tell my teen self to become less self-conscious and more involved. I was barely in any clubs or activities, when those are great experiences to grow from.
ReplyDeleteI would tell myself to be open to asking questions. I also agree with Medeia on being more involved in school clubs, etc.
ReplyDeleteI have always been ridiculously hard on myself, be it with writing, fitness, overall "perfection" it's something I work on every day. I grew up enamored with celebs and wondered why I couldn't look just like one. Not good!
ReplyDeleteI think we all go through a phase where we are really hard on ourselves. My daughter is going through that, now. It's a tough time!
ReplyDeleteIf I look in the mirror and see THAT, I'm going back to bed until the curse is lifted!
ReplyDeleteThat creature is an aye-aye! *pats self on the back for knowing that*
ReplyDeleteA teacher friend recently sent me a picture of that animal because of the interesting hands and feet, which he said resembled those of a creature in my upcoming book. (He had an ARC.)
And yes, I wish I had appreciated how pretty I was as a teenager. I certainly wish I could get those looks back now. (Which means that I'm still looking in the mirror too critically ...)
I loved that picture
ReplyDeleteIs that Yoda's cousin?
ReplyDeleteyeah definitely had those mirror days! sometimes we are too hard on ourselves I agree! Need to relax more :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely felt that as a teenager :) Yay for self-inflicted misery!
ReplyDeleteI have far too many days when I look in the mirror and just see a short fat middle aged woman and not the wonderful loving and caring woman I am but I am getting better at seeing the loving Jo-Anne and not so much the fat unlovable one.........
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a teen, I felt ugly. And that was mostly because all the boys were in love with my best friend who had a great body, and they didn't give me a second glance. But looking back at the pictures of us from those time I know think, "I was ADORABLE!" :D
ReplyDeleteGood post.
ReplyDeleteI used to do this. I forced myself to stop in college. But for the record, I think aye ayes are adorable. ^_^
ReplyDeleteOdd looking, but adorable.
We've all felt that way at some point. I still hate the way I look in photos. I swear I don't look like that. lol
ReplyDeleteIf I could give advice to my teen self, it would be DON'T LISTEN TO MY MOTHER. She was wrong about me, and she helped steal the tiny bit of confidence I had in myself.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie.
You were beautiful then and you're beautiful now. I read something once that said, "You'll never be more beautiful as you are today." Which is kind of depressing in a way.
ReplyDeleteYes Crystal, you were beautiful then and definitely beautiful now .... real beauty comes from within... We do have to stop tearing ourselves down and love ourselves more... ;)
ReplyDeleteAdvice to teen self? I think teen self would be amazed that I'm still living. (There was an issue...)
ReplyDeleteMy goal in life is to get you folks to realize that you look the same online as you look in the mirror and as you look when you leave your house to go shopping. Don't hide, share! It's a tremendous relief to accept yourself physically. Now, let's get started on our mental blocks about who we are on the inside. Talk about challenges!! lol
ReplyDeleteNice post! I did that, too. I think most people do. Someone else already said it, but you were beautiful then and you're beautiful now. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'd tell the teen me to be less self-conscious.
Ha! Have you been looking over my shoulder and taking my pic when I gaze into the mirror? That first pic is so me! ;)
ReplyDeleteBut thanks for the reminder to be kinder to myself.
Hey, Crystal!
ReplyDeleteAdvice to my teen self? Hmmm... Don't be afraid to do the things you haven't done that you really, really want to do. :-)
That's a great comparison. I'm sure we all went through this phase as a teenager! I kept a diary/journal. Should get that out someday...or not.
ReplyDeleteOkay, am I the only one who thinks that thing is actually cute?
ReplyDelete(Got your funnies posted for you. Sorry I was late.)
oh, bless you for teaching teens, I'm parenting one right now and it's soooo darn hard! yes, I do remember what it was to be a teen, but my own teen turned out to be the exact opposite, which makes it even harder... LOL :-)
ReplyDeleteI think I had similar thoughts as a teenager too. I am so glad those years are behind me.
ReplyDelete