Yesterday, as I got ready for college I looked in the mirror and told myself I looked good, because I did. I went downstairs and said to my sister ‘don’t I look nice today?’ She then laughed and told my mum that I was the vainest person she knew.

That evening we went to buy a microwave and I chose the one that was reflective because I could look at myself in it. My sister told my mum to not buy it for that reason. She bought it anyway cos it was on offer. However, I felt bad that I had said, twice that day, I looked good. That’s not fair. I did look good and I was happy about it. After a long period of feeling insecure I actually woke up that morning thinking I look nice, so I wore my favourite lipstick, wore my new bag and a cute outfit cos I felt like it.

Why is it seen as embarrassing to look in the mirror and say you look good? Why when you catch your reflection and say to your friend, ‘Woah I look good!’ do they laugh and act as if you’re crazy? But when you look in the mirror and say ‘I’m disgusting’ and point out every single flaw you have, it’s okay? That’s allowed in changing rooms and bathrooms across the world. It’s bad to feel good about yourself apparently. 

So fuck that and feel and dress how you want regardless of people telling you it’s strange to love yourself. There’s only one person who you’ll be spending the rest of your life with and that’s you, so you should at least try to like yourself. It’s harder said than done but once you know certain things about yourself, not your whole self (because let’s be honest who wants to fully know themselves? it would be boring and probably scary.) you are instantly empowered. People can say ‘You’re vain’, ‘You don’t look good’ but does that matter if you know you look sexy? NO.

Once you like yourself it becomes easier to like other people. Last year I made it my goal to compliment 5 people a day, and actually mean it, now I compliment most people I see in the day, everyday. It takes 10 seconds for you but for them it could change their whole day. If it’s okay to compliment others, it should be okay to compliment yourself.

Moral: talk to yourself like you would talk to other people xxxxxx

Thank you Jodie Lee for looking amazing when you’re messing around with a dressing gown.