“Love you – Love people”
We live in a fast-paced and fairly shallow world, where it’s drilled into the minds of all people, regardless of gender, that we need to work hard in order to be or feel loved. It’s easy to get caught up in the magazine articles and pictures of celebrities that constantly tell us what to do, say, act, or how to look in order to be a validated, respected member of society. The criticism can come from even closer as well, with friends or family being the source of self-doubt and even self-hate.
So Worth Loving didn’t start as an organization. It began in 2011 as an inspirational Tumblr blog dedicated to spray painting the words “So Worth Loving” on articles of clothing people sent to them, to serve as a reminder of what they saw as pure fact—that everyone, regardless of circumstance, is worthy of love. They gained immense support and received hundreds of articles of clothing with just as many stories of heartbreak and hopelessness that were made better with this one simple statement.
Now, So Worth Loving is a community and a lifestyle, still dedicated to reminding those that need it of their value. Kristen Reeves, a junior theatre major, was able to bring a small part of the organization to Berry College in the fall semester of 2015 through her love of and connections to So Worth Loving.
“I am the campus representative for So Worth Loving here at Berry!” Kristen said. “I am a part of about 70 campus reps all over the country. We are the hands and feet of SWL on our own campuses.”
Kristen discovered So Worth Loving when she was a senior in high school, but said she didn’t really connect with what they stood for until her freshman year of college.
“I was struggling with an eating disorder and drowning in a mindset of self-hatred,” Kristen said, “I was reintroduced to So Worth Loving, and it became the community and message that stood behind me when I wasn’t standing behind myself.”
So Worth Loving at Berry, while still relatively new, has already gained a strong social media following. Its inspirational message has really touched the students here.
“So Worth Loving teaches you how to view yourself through a lens of love rather than hate,” sophomore Nina Kowalke said, “Loving yourself can feel unnatural and prideful at first, and so I think it is powerful to be in an atmosphere of other individuals who also strive to love who they are.”
Berry’s chapter intends to have more events soon.
“It’s something still in the planning stage but be on the lookout through the Facebook and Instagram pages,” Kristen said, “We also will have some hidden messages and cards around campus to be on the lookout for!”
You can find more about So Worth Loving here and check out their store to buy a So Worth Loving t-shirt. Remember, as the So Worth Loving manifesto says, no matter your history, past mistakes, relationship status, or career choice, you are worthy of love.