Adopted by Pentatonix (#Power10)

Self-image - Please Read

Hey.
This isn't a chapter but please.

Read this.

In this book, Skylar deals with negative self-image amongst a variety of other things.

You don't always have to think of others, you know? Sometimes, you need to put yourself first. You're that kind of person who puts others before you because you feel your problems aren't as important. I get it, I really do understand. But sometimes, you need to rely on others. Babe, you can't keep holding you emotions back. You need to let them out.

We've all been there. The moment when you look in the mirror and you can't help but point out every flaw on your body. You stare at your reflection but don't see the person you thought you were. The stranger staring back is so much more different than you expect them to be. But you know what? You can't keep doing this to yourself. You're drowning in all this negativity and one day, if you keep believing the shit you're poisoning your mind with, you're going to have gone too far with it.

It's the worst when you're alone, isn't it? There's no one there to stop you from doing anything wrong. There isn't anybody to stop yourself except your worst enemy. You. Others have no idea what you're thinking about, what you're doing. Maybe that's a good thing though, you wouldn't want to know, it's too embarrassing.

The scariest part about being alone is that you do one wrong thing and nobody will even know about it. You cut your wrists too deep, but may not be found until hours later. You tie that rope to the ceiling and finally kick the chair from under you but no one was around to save you when you had that last moment of regret. It was too late. The decision to change your mind was taken away from you because it already happened and what's scary about it is that no one even knew you were doing it in the first place.

So why do we do this to ourselves?

Why do we hate to be alone but choose to be alone at the same time? Why do we continue to hurt ourselves time after time, even when we know the consequences very well?

The answer is such a simple word with such a big meaning.

Insecurities.

We hide the way we look, act, speak and even our religion just because we're terrified that we'll get judged. It's happened so many times in so many different situations that's it even become 'normal' to be judged. Even the most confident people have their insecurities. It's heartbreaking.

People get judged for everything. You wear mismatched clothes? You don't have a sense of style. You accidentally put your shirt on inside out? You're just plain stupid. You wear something or do something that is part of your religion? You're a freak. You like the same sex? Faggot. Virgin? Prude. You've had sex before? Slut. You're pregnant and have decided to keep the baby? You'll never be able to support it. Abortion? Murderer.

The list goes on and on and on.

But humans aren't born to be insecure, each and every single person is born unique. Uniqueness is a word everybody says but looks past.

What's it mean to be unique? Being yourself is the most unique thing you could ever withstand. Show your true colours and you'll be unique in every way. There's something different about you and the person standing beside you. Different in a good way.

Just think of a cartoon drawing of the sun.

I want you to look at the shape of the sun, observe it. Yes, it's round. But do you see that sun frowning? No. Suns always have a smile on their face, they don't care what shape they are or what others think of them. You shouldn't either. Sure, you could point out more flaws of the sun. It's surface temperature is over 150000 degrees Celsius, it gives people sunburn, it's too bright, sometimes it doesn't even feel life producing its heat. There are so many more flaws you could point out but the sun doesn't even care. Keep pointing them out. But just remember though, whenever you see a cartoon picture of the sun, 99% of the time, it won't be frowning.