As much as we sometimes expect to receive criticism from others, whether it be work colleagues, friends or family, I think at the end of the day we are our own worst critics.
Well I am anyways…
The other weekend I went out to a bar with friends. I was feeling hot in what I was wearing, spent lots of time getting ready, picked the ‘perfect’ outfit and danced the night away. Then on Monday morning, came the dreaded ‘you have been tagged in 2 x photos from Longroom’ notification. Panic struck. As I went online to check the photos that were taken, I wasn’t impressed. I hated the way I looked in it and immediately started nit picking everything: my hair looked greasy and unkempt, I looked chubby and my outfit wasn’t flattering, my make up did not look on fleek, the list continued. Next to me in the photos were two of my best friends, who of course, looked amazing, as they always did.
I was with a friend when I was looking through these photos and at first I wouldn’t even let him see them. He told me that I was being ridiculous and as I showed him he laughed and told me how dramatic I was. It wasn’t until the day after that it hit me how hard I am on myself. The negative thoughts I have about myself, how I look, how I act, how I think I can always be better, these thoughts take over sometimes, as I’m sure it does to many others. I’ve always been self depreciating in humour and love poking fun at myself and others, a true form of good banter in my opinion, but I hadn’t realised how much I truly believed these negative thoughts.
My best friend hates her freckles, she actually despises them. This always baffles me because she’s the type of person that could wear a potato sack and still look drop dead gorgeous. Her freckles just add to her beauty and I’m forever telling her that I wished she saw herself through my eyes. And that goes for so many people I know, they’re constantly calling themselves fat and chubby, criticising their appearance or the way they talk or behave. But like my best friend, I always tell them that they’re beautiful and if only they saw themselves through my eyes! So maybe it’s a case of taking your own advice? We should really be waving our own flags, appreciating ourselves and what makes us each unique and beautiful. I think a tough lesson of self love is in order.