We know that "skinny girls" are the media's version of beauty- the ideal, the idol. When was the last time you saw a celebrity that was a normal size and weight- no thigh gap, no bagging clothes, no bones showing where they wouldn't ordinarily? Think about it.
Hello, my name is Elen. I'm 19, and I'm basically your average girl. I have been bullied on occasion but never as severely as most girls have by my age, or even afterward. In comparison to some stories I have heard or even witnessed, my story seems very insignificant and even silly, but at the moment it was horrible and imprisoning.
I was very, very self-conscious about my body image for a long time, but I won't go into more personal details. I battled image issues for about four years, and while it never advanced into full-on anorexia, it very nearly did on numerous occasions. I was drowning in depression every time I went outside of my house; I was depressed every time I saw someone whom I considered to possess "the ideal beauty". It was a nightmare. I couldn't free myself.
I am a Christian, so I finally gave up and started praying, because I knew if anyone could free me, it would be God. I don't care if I get a flood of haters. I'm not preaching at anyone here; I'm just telling my story the way it is. Prayer and faith really helped me until finally the body image issues stopped, and I am pleased to say that I am going on two years being free of them. ♥
I also struggle with depression- not as severely as some; meaning I am not suicidal or doing self-harm, or that kind of thing. But I can be happy and carefree one minute and physically sick or absolutely drained from sadness or stress the next. I don't know why. I've never been diagnosed clinically with depression, and I'm not planning to be. Again, prayer helps me a lot when I feel like life is just spinning away and nothing is worth it anymore.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. I don't care what anyone tells you, I don't care what you tell yourself. You are beautiful simply because you are you, and there is no one on this entire earth exactly like you- not even an identical twin is the same. ;) You have your uniqueness, your likes and dislikes, your own sparkling personality.
Don't let names define you either. Don't let yourself be categorized by bullies as a 'nerd', 'geek', 'otaku', etc. While I realize that those names might not be necessarily as hurtful now, in some cases they still are and wound as deeply as a sword. Don't let yourself be defined by that and don't let it hurt you. Some people are just going to be cruel for no reason, and most of the things they will tell you in life are just a bunch of lies. Rise above it. Be proud of your identity and shake off the names. It might not be simple, and it certainly won't be painless overnight, but trust me- you can rise above it. You absolutely can.
So, let me reiterate once more. You are beautiful- always and forever. Nothing can ever change that. And God loves you more than you will ever know. ♥
You can be louder than your depression, suicidal thoughts, etc. YOU CAN BE LOUDER.
You are beautiful. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that, because that is the truth. Irrevocably and incontrovertably.