Dear She,
I remember going on bike rides at age 8 as an exercise regimen. I hated my stomach and thought I was fat. I used to look at the models in Seventeen Magazine loving the outfits but mentally disparaging myself because I could never wear something that showed off my stomach or had to be tucked in. I could never be as thin as the girls in the magazine so why bother. I always thought, maybe someday I will be skinnier. Maybe if I just try harder. I didn’t wear sleeveless tops or dresses until I was a junior in college.  I began to realize that I looked at myself more harshly than most others. I needed to learn to be more accepting of myself and my confidence would show through. It was a battle and still is. I feel bad for that 8 year old girl who felt fat and ugly and worried so much about wearing bathing suits in public and tight fitting shirts. I am grateful that now I feel acceptance for they way I am. I have my days, though. Pants feel a bit tight, my shirt doesn’t fit right. But now I can laugh it off and not let it affect me so deeply. My wish for young women is that they don’t have to grow old to find the wisdom of acceptance.
Love, Me

Age: 36