It makes me not want to talk about bad days/flare ups too, in case they are used against me 😞
Credit on image
“Despite what people may tell you, the biggest heartbreak will not stem from losing your first love but rather, it will come from the inability to love yourself. I hated my own skin once. I used to trace my scars and blemishes on my face and ask myself what was so wrong with me that I couldn’t be as pretty as all the other girls. I used to plan my meals and exercise routine in hope that when I start to lose weight, I would feel beautiful. I lost the weight and finally started to feel nice in my clothes but all that truly changed was the number on the scale; I still expected more from myself. I still passed mirrors and wished I looked prettier. Eventually, hating myself became so exhausting that I decided to try and love myself instead- I had nothing to lose. I started small, wearing clothes I wanted instead of skin tight garments that flattered my body shape best. I started listening to my body and eating foods I enjoyed instead of basing consumption off what would help me lose weight. I started sleeping naked, fully appreciating my body’s ability to generate its own warmth. I got into the daily habit of moisturising my skin and letting it drink from my tender hands. I challenged myself to go days at a time without wearing make-up, allowing my skin to breathe and to learn how to not let my confidence be defined by how presentable my face was. I wore my hair natural, refusing to hurt it with heat or allow myself to feel the pressure of needing to look perfect in all respects. I converted my toxic mentality surrounding exercise and taught myself how exercise was a celebration of what my body could do rather than a punishment for what it is not. Believe me when I say the key to loving yourself is to start from the inside because when you learn to define your beauty by the qualities you have, including all your weaknesses alongside your strengths, only then will you come to realise that you are unlike anyone else in the world- at least, not entirely- and that, my dear, makes you irresistible.”
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succulent