I don’t know if it’s still a thing – that young women are insecure about their weight and their looks in general. Maybe I don’t know because I am older now. Or because my friends are happy with their looks and do not complain much.
I remember my teenage years and I am super thankful that I love myself today. That wasn’t a given. And I assume that’s simply a typical teenage girl thing: Wondering if we are good enough or even better looking than the other girls. For me it was so bad, I hated my curves. I hated them so much, that I’ve tucked my bosom off and I stopped eating regularly when I was 16. When I was 18 I used to dance through the night, not without taking pills to keep going until dawn and when I was 19 I became entangled in bulimia. With 20 I became a serious gym addict and I worked out as much as 6 days a week for 3 hours a day. Yeah, I looked great on the outside, but on the inside I hated myself.
When I met God at the age of 24, he transformed my life – including my view on myself. When I truly and deeply understood that I am beautifully and wonderfully made, I became FREE. Yes, you’ve heard right. I was free from the opinions of others, free from old habits, and destructive thoughts. It was the craziest experience. It was life-changing. How it all happened, you are wondering? It was super easy, and yet it tested my endurance: I prayed. I would stand in front of my mirror for almost 2 years, praying: “God, show me what you see. You love me, so I believe that I must be beautiful. Show me what you see!”. 2 Years might sound like a biggy, but believe me: When you hate yourself for 15 years, 2 years of prayer aren’t a problem. I guess it didn’t happen overnight that I got God’s perspective on myself. But I remember the day I fully got it. I woke up and went into the bathroom. I stood in front of that very same mirror and thought to myself: Wow, girl! You are quite someone!
So, what am I saying? It all gets better with age (like a good old Red Blend) and with prayer. But obviously, that is not the secret source to all insecurities in the world. What is super important is making healthy lifestyle choices like a high nutrient diet and some exercise that you add to your weekly calendar. What also made a whole lot of difference to me was to have a friend who is a makeup artist. And I am super thankful for that one day people broke into our car and stole my handbag including all my makeup because that was the reason that my friend helped me out with some high-end makeup samples and those were life-changing since she knew exactly what colours would match my skin- and personality type.
Last but not least: Friendships and good waves of laughter help a lot when it comes down to feeling great about yourself.
We cannot manage life alone. Get off your phone, computer and TV and meet some people! Loneliness makes us overthink very insignificant topics up to a crazy unhealthy degree. So, do something with your time. And if you feel like you have no friends at the time, go out. Visit cafes. Volunteer. Hike. Do whatever. But don’t stay at home.
Is insecurity still a thing? Probably. But it doesn’t have to be. Pray, grow, get some professional makeup consultation, go out and live. And you will feel better day by day.