It hurts hearing my girlfriends talk down on themselves. I love them so much and I hate when they become their own worst critics, enemies and mean girls. I always wonder if my friends will ever be able to see themselves for the amazing women that they really are. I wish they could see themselves through my eyes because then they would know just how great they really are. I’m sure we all have girlfriends who we find flawless and this letter is for them…
Dear girlfriends…
…Who dream of being skinnier: I wish you realized that the things you hate about yourself are some of the things I love about you. You’re so focused on your “flaws” you don’t realize that others have never noticed them. I wish instead you could see your amazing cheekbones or your enviously beautiful hair. The way you look has never hidden how sweet and caring you are. I wish you could forget about it because everyone loves you for you and your cheekbones and your hair and all the little things you wish were different about yourself.
I know you’re so embarrassed of the blemishes on her face. Those blemishes that you see aren’t what makes you who you are. It’s the girl behind it who can light up a room when she walks in. It’s the hard working woman who balances it all. It’s the girl who shared her bed with me when I had no place to go. I wish these were the things you saw when you looked in the mirror because this is who you are, blemishes and all.
I know there are certain things you hate about your body, but you forget that people are too busy laughing at your jokes or admiring your thoughtful conversation to care. They are too busy wondering how your eyelashes can be so perfect to even notice. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes because you would see just how perfectly imperfect you are. I wish you could understand why I think you are amazing and beautiful and fun instead of only understanding the hate you sometimes feel for your own body. I’ve always admired the woman that you are, not because of how you look, but because of who you are, I wish you could too.
Of course, there are those times when you can’t stand the sight of your “thunder thighs” but instead just think about all the things those legs let you do; the miles you’ve ran and the hikes they’ve taken you on. Remember the beautiful places they’ve taken you to. You may hate your legs but if only you could realize that they are perfect because they are a part of you. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, then you would see how caring and sweet you are and how your energy creates friends the moment you speak.
And in that moment when you desired for a tinier waist I wish you could have seen that you were still perfect in that dress. Not because your waist is tiny but because your spirit is radiating with adventure and life. You are more than the way you look in a dress. You are the mountains you’ve climbed and the slopes you’ve skied. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes because I know you’d be impressed.
And to the rest of my girlfriends…
If you hate your arms think of all the hugs they have given. If you hate your freckles think of the warm days spent out in the sun that gave them life. If you hate your smile think of the happiness it gave to others when you smiled at them in the hall or giggled at their jokes.
You are admired, loved and looked up to. I wish my girlfriends could see themselves through my eyes because to me they have always been perfect just the way they are.
Share this so your girlfriends can see themselves through your eyes <3