if you're currently in school or college, or just having a rough time in general, you need to listen up.
That first picture was me at 14. the second is me almost 10 years later at 23.
You can probably tell I wasn't the most popular kid in school. I was bullied, and I took it really hard on myself.
I told myself I was a loser daily. I had no self confidence. no self respect. I had no love or care for myself. I let people treat me like shit and call me names and it just pushed me down further and further. I resorted to hurting myself, I stopped eating, I would punish myself for not being good enough for the people I was surrounded by.
To this day, I still have depression and anxiety. I still have moments where I don't like how I look. I'm still a massive dork. but I grew up and sure, I figured out how to make myself feel good with make up and clothes and hairstyles. but most importantly I learned to embrace who I was. I have a massive heart. I'm fucking hilarious. I'm intelligent. I've owned my quirks.
I've met people who love me for who I am. I've made so many friends who I can share my sense of humour with. I'm a model on fucking Suicide Girls, something I had only ever dreamed of doing at that age. I've made a place for myself in this world and I belong.
I wish it didn't take me so long to figure that out. I wish someone had told me this when I was 14.
Please be strong. don't listen to the people putting you down. they just don't know how fabulous you are. and how amazing you're going to become.
You've got this. and I have your fucking back. make this life count. you don't get second chances. you are loved for who you are. keep your chin up and fucking work it.
Aubrey x