It is something that comes up a whole lot, whether we realize it or not. That would be insecurities and doubts. Maybe I was inspired by one of Beyoncé’s songs “Pretty Hurts” where she sings about “Pretty hurts/Shine the light on whatever’s worse/Perfection is the disease of a nation/Pretty hurts/Shine the light on whatever’s worse/Tryna fix something/But you can’t fix what you can’t see/It’s the soul that needs the surgery..” Girls and young woman are always taught that you need to be pretty because nothing else should matter. I am not taking away from the fact that boys do not have insecurities, but when you open a magazine who do you see? Female models, most of whom are skinny and thin. Sure, people tell you to also embrace your curves.
I am tired of hearing that girls should be pretty like a barbie dolls with the perfect hair, the right clothes and makeup. Girls and boys are getting different messages. It should be okay for females to be tomboys and for guys to feel like they should not “masculine.” In some of the lyrics of Colbie Caillat’s “Try” she sings “You don’t have to try so hard/You don’t have to, give it all away/You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up/You don’t have to change a single thing/You don’t have to try, try, try, try/You don’t have to try, try, try, try/You don’t have to try, try, try, try/You don’t have to try/You don’t have to try…” Remember when I talked about being yourself? Well, it applies here too. Sometimes we try so hard to be someone else when we should be ourselves. Stop listening to those who think you are not pretty or beautiful or smart or dumb enough. In other words, stop paying attention to society. They, for the most part do not know what they are talking about.
Insecurities are all in your head because you create them based on what you hear. They are those voices in our head that are quiet but are loud enough for us to listen to. Here is a quote which says “Confidence is loud. Insecurities are loud.” In other words, try to have more confidence while trying to not have insecurity. I know that it is hard. Shut it up, whatever it takes because you should believe that you are simply good enough. Heck, you should surround yourself with people who think you are good enough as well. Insecurities for the most part are a part the negativity you should ignore and should not be a part of. I know there are tons of quotes about insecurity out there, but I will leave you with one that rings true for a lot of us. “Nothing holds you back more than your own insecurities.” In other words, never let your insecurities hold you back from pursuing whatever it is that you want, including people/relationships you want, etc. It may also stop you from going after what you want.
I know that a lot of my insecurities come from the fact that I thought I was not like anybody else. I was never really a girly girl or cared too much about my appearance. Sometimes it did not help that I had a sister and friends who are beautiful. I stopped trying to compare myself to them a long time ago. Some insecurities also come from when I did theater/acting because I felt like I was never good enough compared to those who got the parts and are great actors/actresses. I was never one of those people who got the parts. I have to stop myself from those who have had years and years of experience acting. I am nothing like them. I am good at what I do in my own way. I want my readers to take the same lesson. Stop comparing yourself to others and remember that you are good enough. Insecurities should not be listened to. I know rejection sucks and it is one thing I am terrified of, but you have to realize that you did try. My final thought is to let go of insecurity or at least we should try to, no matter how hard it may be in the end. Here are two poems for you, my readers, to enjoy.
Silencing Insecurities
Never believe their twisted lies
Whenever you look into the mirrors
Because you want to be the girl who tries
To fight through it all. They are the killers
On the inside. You are pretty but
Are you strong enough for your pillars?
Do you have enough grit to get out of the rut?
You just have to keep digging through the dirt
To find the diamond. You may want to strut
Around, but sometimes being beautiful will hurt
With the shards of the broken glass down
Your throat. Being perfect does nothing to advert
From insecurity. You have the whole town
And world thinking you are a confident
Pageant queen while smiling when you frown
When you are alone. The devil is the occupant
Within your head that tells you that you are never
Going to be enough. Take every compliment
With pride and dignity. Get rid of and sever
Every voice that always says no instead of yes.
Darling, you have to be the one to pull that lever
And watch it all go down the drain. Bless
Every flaw and blemish. Do not hate your skin
Or think that you are a complete mess
Even on days when you do not feel thin
Enough because someone will love all of that.
Only then will you finally feel like you will win.
Stereotypical Girl
Lose the extra pound.
Try harder. Push harder.
Gain some more weight.
You look too skinny.
You look too fat.
Straighten your hair.
Embrace your natural
Hair. Wear contact lenses
Because that is what
Everyone else does.
Wear glasses, even if
They are fake and unreal.
You want to look smart.
Do not wear too much makeup,
Otherwise you will look like
A clown. Some is better
Than none. Get your nails
Done. Go shopping at the
Mall. Wear tight clothes.
Wear loose clothing.
Be proud of your natural
Looks. Do not get fooled
By the stereotypes thrown
Your way just because
You are a girl in this world.
