Because I Love You

as children, we are taught that being confident is beautiful,

loving ourselves is the best kind of love,

yet society tells us the opposite.

guys like girls with

thin waists,

big hips,

big butts, and

big lips.

so whom are to believe?

(we believe society)

we look in the mirror and say

“you’re not good enough”

or

“you’re too fat for him”

or

“you’ll never be as pretty as her”

it’s the truth. we’ve all done it.

but in the end, our excuse is:

i’m only saying this because i love you.

i’m only saying these hurtful things to you because i care.

i’m degrading your body because you need to be a little tougher anyways.

this will build my confidence sooner or later.

But, we end up being wrong.

we don’t believe it when he tells us that we’re beautiful

and that he likes the way i tuck my hair behind my ear

and that he likes my dimples when i smile

and that he likes when i tilt my head back and do that stupid clap when i laugh

and that he loves how confident i was.

…. confident?? i didn’t believe it until he said it.

woah, I am confident.

I no longer look in the mirror and point out my imperfections,

My insecurities.

I no longer wonder if I’m prettier than her or if she’s prettier than me.

I look in the mirror and say,

“I do this because I love you”.