Growing up in the 21st century, there are limitless opportunities for young women. You're told you can be anything you set your mind and heart to - whether that be a psychologist, a lawyer, a writer, the world is limitless! However, where there are limitless opportunities, there's also a limitless amount of exposure to the world around you. You're constantly fed images and news of other girls and women.
You see their failures, their successes, their bravery, their cowardliness, and we're often caught placing ourselves in their shoes. What if that were me? How would I handle that? Could I even handle that? Doubt and fear can overwhelm your mind in an instant.
Soon without even realizing it, you're taking a step back from the world around you and questioning yourself. Questioning if you're good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, skinny enough, funny enough. Enough of "enough." Everyone has aspects within their lives where they're the most successful, where they feel the most confident. But within the other "not so great" aspects of their lives, they feel underwhelmed or unhappy.
We tend to categorize or separate different qualities of ourselves, and focus on the negative instead of the positive. You're constantly looking for change or improvement. While wanting to work on yourself is wonderful, continually striving for perfection is impossible and fruitless. Instead of focusing on what you wish to change, focus on the parts of your life in which you're proud of and love.
Figure out why you're successful in those aspects and apply it to other parts of your life. For example, if you're a great athlete and you know that it stems from your dedication and commitment, then take those qualities and apply them to other aspects of your life like school, work or relationships. Learn what makes you, you, and be confident in yourself and your abilities.
As a young woman, you're constantly changing - your body is developing, your style is evolving and even your friendships and relationships are being reshaped to some degree. Nothing, apart from God, is permanent, and this is a good thing.
God made you unique and He wants you to love who you are. And you should love who you are. If you're doing something you aren't proud of, or becoming someone you don't like - change. Actively search to better yourself in a positive way. Go to the gym, read more, start a conversation with someone you wouldn't normally talk to. Love who you are and accentuate the qualities you love about yourself.
Often times, you admire people in your life in hopes of being more like them. Whether it be a celebrity, a friend, a parent, you begin to compare yourself to others. And while you should relish in who you are and not attempt to emulate others, more than likely, you see your own traits in those people who you admire.
You're exploring who you are and who you want to be. So if you want to be smarter, more social, or more in shape, then put time into yourself. But, make sure that you're doing it for you, not because you think that's who you should be or what society is telling you to do. You can do whatever you set your heart to do, but who you are is incomparable, and you shouldn't change that for the world.
The writer is a copywriter
-Rachel Brunner
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