“This is me. This photo is one of the only ones I have of myself that I find pretty. I’ve had problems with my self-image since the fifth grade, after my parents divorced and my dad, who didn’t even take care of his own diabetes—and still doesn’t—fed me fast food every day for two years. I do not use the “big boned” excuse, but I was built to be smaller, and the weight gain from those years has covered my stomach, breasts, thighs, arms, and my entire back in stretch marks. I went from being called a toothpick to being called a cow in less than a year, and I hated myself for it. After my step-father died in 2005, I went into a deeper depression, and gained more weight. Since then, I have steadily gotten heavier and heavier, despite many attempts at fixing it. I’m a size 20 in Juniors clothes, and even though that’s really not that big, I weigh 210 pounds. My doctor said I should only weigh 130. But no matter what I do I can’t lose the weight. So I just continued hating myself. The self-hate only got worse with more family problems, social problems, and mental problems, along with the sadness and frustration that comes with not being able to find clothes that fit me. Slowly, though, I have come to terms with the way I am. The stretch marks will always be there, they will never really go away, and even though some find them hideous, my girlfriend says that they’re a map to my soul, and I’m starting to believe her. Every blemish, every flaw, whether mental or physical, is a beautiful thing, and no matter what, I’m going to try to love myself more. And that’s why I took this picture. To show myself and everyone else that I can be something more than what they perceive.

I love myself for these reasons:
1. I am an old soul.
2. I can cook well (and will continue cooking well).
3. I live through music.
4. I find beauty in everyone.
5. I know who I am and I will never change myself for anyone besides myself.
6. I take my credit when it’s due, and am humble when the time is right.
7. I never abandon the people who need me.
8. I want to change the world. But I know I can’t do it alone.
9. I love to love.
10. I love you. All of you. No matter who you are, and what you go through, I love you. I may never see you, speak to you, touch you, or hug you, but know that I love you and I always will.”

To send in your own Self-Love Submission, e-mail me at selflovecampaign@gmail.com 

Accepting yourself… whether fat, skinny, boney, a certain race, blonde, brunette, redhead, whatever…. will help you overcome your challenges…! 

(Source: plusmodelmagazine)