Now more than ever women feel pressured to change their appearance. Isn’t our appearance what makes us, us? Your mom has probably said “you are your own harshest critic,” and she is right. Changing the way we view ourselves is a huge challenge in itself. Over three million women, according to the National Report on Self Esteem, feel pressured to look a certain way. It is sad when there are more people shaming others for what they wear then people who compliment and empower others. How hard is it to tell someone they look nice? Even the smallest compliment can have a huge impact on the way someone feels. If we all learned to share that compassion, the world would be a much happier place.

We don’t have to be skinny to be pretty. We don’t have to have money to be pretty. We don’t need makeup to be pretty. You are beautiful just the way you are. Smarts, common sense, compassion and humor are all qualities way more attractive than how you look on the outside.

Most models are thinner than 98% of Americans. Instead of trying to change our bodies, how about we try to change our culture- tweeted Demi Lovato.

Pop culture icons put an image of “the perfect women” in our head. We will sit down to watch TV and ask ourselves, “Why can’t I be as tall as her?” or, “If I was as skinny as her, people would notice me,” which is ironic because even the famous women we idolize struggle with self confidence too. 

Every time I left the house, I would be worried if I didn’t put on makeup: What if someone wanted a picture?? What if they POSTED it??? These were the insecure, superficial, but honest thoughts I was thinking. And all of it, one way or another, was based too much on what other people thought of me.- Alicia Keys

We all look up to our mothers or grandmothers and see such strong, confident women. I guess when people say “the older the wiser” they really are telling the truth. When women grow up they realize how silly their self-doubt was when they were young. They find out how they look doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t take us our whole lives to see that we are beautiful. Start today by surrounding yourself with positive friends who make you feel beautiful. Tell yourself it’s a good thing to be you. You don’t have to change yourself to be happy, just be you.