Teenage Self Perceptions

Monday was the start of a brand new school year in my neck of the woods!  While eating breakfast that day, my daughter commented about a friend of hers who feels like an ugly duckling.  :(  It's sad because she is a dynamic, energetic and beautiful girl!  But the thing about junior high, is that I totally remember exactly how it felt to be an awkward, insecure little teen just trying to figure myself out.  I didn't feel pretty either. 

It's funny though because last week I began to do some catch up on my scrapbooks and worked on finishing up my junior high through high school pictures.  Looking back now I realized how cute I really was and I didn't even know it!

These days I always get lots of compliments on my smile and guess what!  I had that same great smile even back then!

 Teenage ~B!

Instead of all that insecurity and time spent measuring myself against others, I wish I had realized that I was ok all along!  And not just on the outside!  On the inside too!  I think sometimes we are way too hard on ourselves and we need to learn to practice more kindness.  If you were to talk to your friends the way you talk to yourself, would you have any friends?  The words and thoughts we use are very powerful!

We each have specific gifts and talents we were born with, our core essence if you will, that we were destined to live!  I wish all women and girls everywhere could feel the gift of feeling safe and accepted just for who they are! 

Looking back, 

what do you wish your 

teenage self would have known?  

~ ~ ~

Want some more support?  Watch this:  It's not too late to feel beautiful as a teenager!