Self confidence challenge..?

I was overweight/obese while growing up. Ever since I can remember, I was heavier (and taller) than everyone else my age. I was used to being made fun of because of my weight, and learned to brush it off my shoulders (or so I thought). Once I hit puberty, I started eating healthier, grew taller, and overall changed a LOT physically. I was no longer fat or the brunt of everyone's jokes. I was too busy rebelling at that time to think too much about my appearance, honestly. haha.

Now I'm 16, I'm physically fit, at a healthy weight, and find myself feeling terrible about my body. I look in the mirror and all I can see is how my breasts aren't big enough, my hips are too wide, and my butt is too flat. Quite frankly, I feel terrible for even spending my time worrying about this. I absolutely abhor the common depiction of beauty, and I can't stand Hollywood and America's ideal image of a woman.

I feel terrible for thinking so much about MYSELF. So here is my goal: I'm going to think about myself MORE. This may sound contradicting, but I think the type of things you tell yourself on a daily basis truly form who you are. Therefore, I'm going to praise myself for the most irrelevant things I like about myself. I'm going to spend my thoughts on actually loving myself. I think, the key is to love yourself like a friend. Would I accuse my healthy friend of being fat everyday? No.

So this is what I will do at the end of each day: I will write out three lists. On the first list, I will write out ten things I like about myself. I must think of new things I like about myself daily. Repeating a previous like is not allowed. For the second list, I will write out ten things I like about only my body. Again, no repeats. For the third, I will write out ten things I accomplished today which I'm proud of. I will allow repeats on this one, simply because daily exercise and diligence should be rewarded. I love myself enough to exercise and be healthy. I love myself enough to eat my recommended calorie income daily. The world will most certainly not end if I exceed my calories.

 

If anyone would like to join me in this endeavor, it'd be great to have some support. I think this is a really important issue and is the main reason why most of us are here anyway. We have to keep our minds healthy as well as our bodies.

I love this idea. I'll certainly try and keep up with it; it'd be a challenge for me, as I have always suffered with very low self-esteem. Also, I've not had a lot to do lately (recovery requires me to sit on my backside!) but I will have a lot more to think on next week, as college begins. [: So I will join you on this one!

ALSO, your hair is amazing in your display picture. I miss being a blonde!

Ooh yay!  I'm excited.  I think this is just as important as a weight loss/get fit challenge, if not more.  We could post our lists on here, or we could do it in private.  Whichever you prefer.

 

Aw thanks!  I've never been blonde until now and I think it's great. :) I bet you'd like great as a blonde!

If anyone would like an example of the "Ten Lists", you can go to my journals, and there's a REAL LIFE example right there!  I'm kind of disappointed more people haven't responded to this post yet.  It seems like it's really important, and I know for a fact that most of the girls who frequent here have a problem with self esteem.

 

Anyone is welcome to join in. :)

That sounds like a good idea, I'm going to do it. : ) Although I think I'll run out of nice things to say about myself after the second day. By the way, I also like your hair! It's lovely.

I wannnt to join in!


I am right now trying to work on channeling my emotions, and learning about my primary and secondary emotions and trying to communicate better so I can stop having as many issues and stress, and I want to do this because I need to learn to LOVE myself because its not helping my relationship :)

I'm in. I just hope I don't botch it up or end up pulling out after a day or so :(

icutoffmyhair- Haha, I know.  I thought I'd run out of things too!  But that's the point.  It's kind of like with a guy you reeeeeally like.  You could go on and on about all the things you like about him.  So hey, you're with yourself all the time, might as well be a happy time!

 

heatherx33- Exactly.  If I'm not loving myself properly, it affects my relationships in a terrible way.  I'm excited for you! :)

 

direwolf689- It's okay, we can all hold you accountable.  haha

I wanna join!!!

I seem to have these like, AHA! moments where I tell myself I'm going to change my mindset and thinking, but later they are no longer in my mind and I slip back to my old self.  Having others who are positive would be a great help =D  Many of my friends are the typical I-hate-myself teens that do nothing but complain =\ It's NOT helpful!!!

And to add..I love your hair too!  I have recently been thinking about going blonde!  I was a natural blonde up until 14/15 years and then my hair started to darken.  Funny thing is, when I was blonde I wanted brown hair and now that it's turning brown I want blonde!  Will I ever be content?!?!?! haha =P

deflepfan16- I'm the same way. I always tell myself that I'll start thinking better of myself, but it never happens. SO, I figured this was a good start. :) Aw, and thank you! I was a blonde baby, but then again, I grew up in California. I was always outside, so I'm sure the sun had a helping hand in the matter. Although, I have to burst everyone's bubble and say that it's not going to be blonde anymore. You see, I have to get a part time job, and I'm afraid my hair will be too "out there" for a conservative boss. haha. You should go blonde! I think it'd look really cute on you.

This is such a good idea. I have self esteem issues also. Its time we all said nice things about ourselves and think positive. I don't know if I'll make it all the way, but I'll try.

Yeah, I have blonde hair too (from the looks of your picture mine's more white), I need to do the **** roots. My hair has always been dark brown, it got a little lighter as I got older, it was a medium brown when I dyed it at the start of summer. Roots come in after like two weeks, hah.

I'm really considering growing it longer and back into a normal color, I might be able to do more with it.

Haha. I loove blonde hair too. I like yours too :) Mine is blonde and brown right now. So I am glad I did that thing last night and I cant wait till tonight. I am really hoping this will help me change and not slip back into old habbits :( :)

Aw, this makes me so happy!  It's great to see other girls wanting get their minds as healthy as their bodies. :)

 

haha, I love how this thread is now about blonde hair.

icutoffmyhair- I tried going for a platinum, but did the coloring myself, so it didn't quite turn out how I wanted. I bet yours looks awesome! Yeah, I was kind of disappointed that I cut my hair off afterwards, but I'm so impatient with growing out my hair!

 

heatherx33- I think your hair looks super cute. :) I honestly never thought it would be so challenging to write out these lists, but I'm so glad I'm doing this and I'm so glad you're doing it with me!

I want in! It's tough when the whole entire world is bombarding you with messages that you are not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough....

 

I am soooo sick of seeing women all over television with fake breasts, makes natural girls feel like they are another species....

 

anyways I could go on and on...lol

 

But I made a journal about the ten things, I might end up just doing it once a week, cus I am busy! Thank you for making this!

Make out those lists, guys! :)

made mine but didn't feel like typing it.

i actually found myself doing stuff so i'd have stuff to put down, haha.

I tried to do it and couldn't even fill the first list =\ haha  I'm still working on it though!!

I finished mine :)

Thanks teedlehee! BTW first name?

Aw good job everyone for keeping up with the listing!

 

My name is Moriah. Your name is Heather? :)

Im gonna try this later tonight, I think I've tried it once, but couldn't fill it. =/

I really need help in this area though :) Thanks for posting this.