you are beautiful, no matter what they say.

how many times have you looked in the mirror and not liked the image that is staring back you? are you one of those people who avoids staring in the mirror altogether? or are you one to look in the mirror and think "dang! i look good!"?

i know which one i am. i look in  the mirror and my opinion of myself changes. one day i can look in the mirror and think "hannah, don't listen to what they all say, you are beautiful in your own way." other days i think "for god sake, wear a bag over your head and hide that face will you?" and it's horrible, i'm my own worst enemy. i criticise myself over every little thing. if i don't get a good grade in a lesson i kick myself because they got better than me. and i hate that. no matter how many times people tell me that i am pretty and that i shouldn't listen to them, i still don't believe them. i've been told i'm ugly, one of my best friends did it. but we 'drifted apart' so she says. what she means is "i changed myself to be popular and you were right to ditch me." but anyway, those comments still stick with me. and they always will. if i get an odd look from someone i take it personally. i know i shouldn't but i do.

but i am learning to ignore snide remarks. if people have nothing nice to say to you don't listen to you. someone once told me "people only pick out your faults because it gives them an ego boost." and that's what i think every time someone criticises me. and it helps me get by. no one has the right to tell you that you aren't beautiful. not even yourself. inner beauty is what really matters. outer beauty is just the show, so who cares if that boy won't date you because your hair doesn't stay straight? who cares if you can't be in that 'popular' group because you don't cake your face in make up everyday? one day you will find people who want to your friend for who you are, and you'll find a boy who loves you for you inner beauty and personality.

so don't worry about people's snide comments. they probably feel the same way as you. they probably look in the mirror and hate the reflection that's looking back at them. they've probably been critiscised, so they in the end feel the need to criticise someone else. so let them get on with it and show them you can rise above it and move the fuck on.