Today we celebrate International Day Of The Girl and yesterday it was World Mental Health day, both important causes, both relatable.
In some area's of life we, as women and girls have never had it better on the downside the pressure to now 'have it all' has never been higher leading to more cases of stress, anxiety and depression.
Being two years and four months away from my 30th Birthday and not being where I planned to be in life at this stage is stressing me out. Along with the insane pressure to look 'good' mixed in can be a lethal combination for self-esteem an absolute crippling feeling.
I believe that truly accepting yourself flaws and all is one of the hardest challenges young women are facing today.
Who hasn't spent hours scrolling through Instagram images of so called perfection (or filtered perfection) and come away feeling crap about theirselves? I know I certainly have.
With endless images of girls that are taller / skinnier/ curvier / prettier / flat tummy's / no wrinkles / perkier boobs the list could go on forever, it makes me glad that I grew up before Social Media really exploded - if it can make a nearly 30 year old doubt their self imagine the effect it is having on young teenage girls.
It is so hard not to succumb to the pressure, and it's something I've been fighting for a long time - I have a lot of friends that have had 'work' and I have a lot of friends that would disown me and be disappointed if I went down that road.
I have always felt strongly against surgery/fillers but as the pressure mounts I find myself sitting on the fence (on the shady side to protect my sun damaged skin after years of sunbeds and travelling in hot destinations).
One friend has even booked me in on her next appointment for Botox after I mentioned I was interested but I don't think I am ready.
Coming from Essex there is probably a lot of girls and boys for that matter who would take one look at me and think 'You were ready for it years ago luv' - they're the ones you have to fight. And why would you want to look the same as them? If everyone looked the same imagine how boring the world would be - but as I continue to torture myself scrolling through the internet that is what I see.
We teach girls that they can have everything, and they can but at the same time we are ready to tear them down at any minute. What we really need to learn and to teach the future generation of women is to 'LOVE YO SELF' accept who you are, stand with confidence in the face of adversity and people that are quick to judge you on your looks.
I recently read an interview with Serena Williams talking about the publics opinion of her saying "'It was 'She's too strong', 'She's too sexy', then 'She's too strong' again. So I'm like, 'Well can you choose one?' Either way, I don't care which one they choose. I'm me and I've never changed who I am".
She is absolutely right. There is no point trying to conform to someone else idea of perfection or even our own as you'll never be satisfied.
Do what makes you happy.
Acknowledge your flaws and learn to love them - I still get spots, my teeth cross over slightly, I don't like my nose, I have lines in my forehead and sun-damaged skin, I've got wonky eyebrows, I have really knobbly knee's that look awful in photos, my boobs increase and deflate more than the FTSE 100 depending on the time of the month, I get a pot belly when I eat too many carbs, I get a double chin, I go ridiculously skinny when I'm stressed or suffering from anxiety.
But that's me; I'm not the kind of girl that knows all the names of Mac lipsticks, but thats ok and I accept that will probably never be me. I'm much happier on a beautiful island beach somewhere in a bikini with my feet in the sand that I probably managed with all the money I saved from not wearing make-up, with no internet and no-one judging you on looks making you feel you should look a certain way.
Happy International Girls Day
Happy World Mental Health Day
Peace
xoxoxo
