a letter to anyone who struggles to love themselves...
...you will see the light soon.
Let your hair down. I know you can't today but you will in the future, and it will be the most freeing process of your life. Make all of the mistakes that you want to, and do not allow anyone's opinion change the way you feel about yourself. There are billions of people in the world, and the only perception that matters is your own.
Never doubt yourself at any point because you will continue to find that person within your existence. It is okay that you are going through a hard time, but remember that all of these negative feelings are only temporary.
Your skin is reflecting how you feel inside, don't let others frame you as someone you are not. We both know who you are. Let your hair down. Don't blow-dry it today. Don't curl it tomorrow. You don't need to. It is okay to not look "perfect" all of the time, we all have our days. Makeup? Eh, you don't need it. Smile more, you have beautiful smile when you show it. Laugh at the jokes that you are nervous to die at because of what you might think you will hear. We have all struggled with our reflections at some point, rather we want to admit it or not. We are all flawed in our own ways which make us human, and it's the second we embrace it that counts.
Hug your friends and tell them how much they matter to you. There are going to be bumps in the road, but there there will be people who love you waiting at the end of it. Do not worry about the clothes you wear to the gym, the only person who cares about them is you. Take care of yourself, smile as much as you want and can, but also cry if you need to. Every day brings upon a new challenge and a different scenario, yet I know for a fact that you can handle it. I know that you are nervous about what people might say or how they can possibly make you feel. Just remember that you are strong and everything that you have been through in the past has prepared you for today.
Listen to the compliments that people give you and do not shrug them away so quickly. Smile and thank those who build you up, and do not give the time of day to those who break you down. Allow yourself to seek happiness because you deserve it, and always will. The way you talk up your best friend is exactly how you should talk yourself up. You have people all around you who hype you up, and one day you will learn how to do it yourself because you are a badass. We all cry sometimes, but laughter is the best medicine so if you don't have a good day, that is perfectly fine. You might looking yourself and become unhappy with what you're seeing but just know it's only temporary. Every day we are changing and things are happening around and to us. Let yourself be a part of the change, and things will get better.