Treat yourself like art.

There was a time in high school where I did not look in the mirror for at least an entire year. I hated how I looked.

The year before my anti-mirrors phase I had a group of friends who stopped being my friends and started an “I hate Megan” xanga. Yes, old school social media! It started as a group of about three girls but grew to be about a dozen people, some of whom I never met. They took turns writing blog posts about how ugly I was and how I should kill myself. Coincidentally this was a time in my life that I really wanted to kill myself so their discussions about me were poison I was already ingesting through my own insecure thoughts.

That year, my new friends in high school got me a digital camera. Super fancy. I would have my own photo shoots at home, dressing up and trying to feel beautiful for the camera. Eventually I’d watch America’s Next Top Model and dream of a day I’d be on the pages of magazines. Another Spoiler Alert: I was not America’s Next Top Model 🤣 (but I was in Teen People! Small successes👏🏻)

I’m not sharing this as a pity party. I’m sharing it because 14 year old Megan stopped seeing herself as this goblin in the mirror and started to take her photoshoots very seriously. For years after, I’d figure out lighting and reflections (film noir was my vibe lol swipe to see) For one hour I would feel like a piece of art and not a hideous creature with too many insecurities and flaws. Usually, that one hour would boost my self esteem to longer periods of time. My friend Gel and I would send each other selfies after having photoshoots, hyping each other up just like more women should do!

We all have insecurities, even though some are more vocal than others. But when was the last time you treated yourself like a masterpiece instead of a troll under a bridge? I realized recently it’s been a shamefully long time for me. So I went old school. I had a photoshoot. Gel hyped me up again💁🏻‍♀️❤️

Now, I encourage you to do the same, you beautiful art you. For reference, I took 118 photos that are now deleted. I have 4 that I like. It’s all a numbers game, emphasis on game. Be playful, have fun, and most importantly, be grateful for YOU🌟❤️