Self confidence is important to have. If you aren't comfortable in your own skin, then you just aren't comfortable. Trying to be someone else is something a lot of us girls have tried, or are trying, to do.
Way back in the fifth grade, was the beginning of that awkward stage in any teens life, and to be honest, I'm still pretty dang awkward. I had only a few friends at school, and just really wanted to fit in. There was this girl that everyone at school admired. Lets call this girl ' girl X'. So one day 'girl X' came up and started talking to me. The next day I sat next to her in class. She asked why I never put my hair up. Then told me I should. So I did. She told me what to where. So I did. This girl wanted to make me a clone of herself. One day, I brought some pretty cool markers too school. 'Girl X' had it all. Gel pens, sharpies, mechanical pencils. All the things that were 'cool' back then. She really liked my markers. Slowly, but surely, they started to disappear. When I stopped dressing like her, acting like her, and bringing cool things to school, she stopped talking to me. She was using me and I let her.
This is a perfect example of lacking self confidence. Eventually, I realized that the haters gon' hate! So, I made up my mind to be myself. But, I didn't know what being 'myself' was. I didn't know what 'I' would do. There went that self confidence. Down the drain.
I was over thinking it all. Being yourself means not letting other people define you. If you like those bizarre 4" chunky boots, then wear them! If you like that one dress with a crazy weird pattern on it and a chunky belt, then wear that! Whatever makes you feel confident. It's great to get advice from friends and family about whether something fits, or looks weird on you, but if someone is being rude and critical, then who cares what they think? Wear what you feel comfortable in, do what you feel comfortable doing.
Acne. Yep. I was that one girl with horrible acne covering her face. I wasn't wearing makeup yet so I couldn't cover it up. Then I decided, that if they can't accept that I have acne, then they aren't my friend. And if someone isn't one of your friends or a family member, don't mind what they say.
I know back in the fifth and sixth grade it wasn't terrible for me, but it definitely wasn't good either. The moral of the story? Don't work to be yourself. It's something that will come to you naturally. Don't mind other people if they are being rude, because they are just jealous or maybe are having a hard time at home. Don't let people manipulate you, and if you notice something then speak up. I hope that these tips were helpful, and I promise, even if times are hard now, you WILL have good times, and that things will get better! Until next time, bye guys!-
May