Unconvincing Beauty
I wish I wish I wish I wish...............
I’d grown up with people telling me how beautiful I was, telling me I should appreciate my ojibwe bone structure, my lightly tanned skin, my long, dark and thick hair. As if appreciating it more would make me see it myself, but it never did. Where they saw a lovely bone structure, I saw a flat and lumpy side profile and a chin that went straight to my neck. Where they saw olive tanned skin, I saw pimples, scars, and when I was extremely stressed, patches of dry skin that would get raised and red with irritation. The hair they saw was hours of effort washing, blow drying, straightened, with expensive products laced in that I wasn’t even sure were working the way they were supposed to. My natural hair was frizzy and unmanageable, wavy but not enough to influence natural curls, the volume was all tangles and fuzz. I’d tried, my whole life, to find something, just one thing I could like about myself without messing with it first, but there was nothing.
Looking back at all the teary eyed late nights of staring into the mirror and wishing I was someone else, I realize now that they were my most beautiful days, even in all my awkward phases, and even when I was trembling with anxiety. I still managed to be a unique kind of beautiful, the kind you couldn’t help but stare at. I just wish I could’ve been convinced.
About the Creator
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Rereading
I reread my favorite books, over and over again, for a very simple reason: I love the characters and enjoy spending time with them. Maybe I grieve their loss, maybe I bargain with the text: if I read you better this time, maybe Benji won’t die, maybe Manderly won’t burn, and maybe Lenny and George will get that piece of land and have something to call their own.
By Harper Lewis4 days ago in Writers
Comments (13)
I think all of us struggle with insecurities about our looks no matter what, and mainstream society’s expectations can be awful. ❤️ Thank you for sharing this. It’s beautifully written.
Excellent and Deserved Top Story, We are featuring this in the Vocal Social Society Community Adventure on Facebook and would love for you to join us there
Beautiful.
Ah, the moments that shape us. We're all guilty of not seeing what others see. Hope you're happier in your own skin now. I love your candour.
This is very relatable. I remember looking at a photo of myself as a young child and seeing a beautiful young girl, but when I was that young girl, I hated most everything about myself despite the compliments. Sometimes internalizing a positive self-image is hard. I get it. Thanks for sharing your work.
you highlighted great points and were well-presented.
Everybody is beautiful made. Whoever tells something different is a liar. Thank you for sharing, Bitter.
Interesting keep it up
Thank you for sharing. It’s a beautiful testament to the importance of self-love and acceptance.
Powerfully vulnerable - thank you for sharing this beautiful and succinct window into your unquestionably lovely soul. And congrats on a well-deserved Top Story!
Such an awesome, introspective piece with which so many can identify. Congratulations on your Top Story recognition - it’s well-earned.
Well done on that
Lovely one