SelfConscious: For my whole life, I've been scrutinized and bullied for my appearance by my peers, and even my whole family. It didn't bother me that much, but as I grew up, I began to hate myself. As a result, I became so self-conscious that I can't even look at myself in the mirror or go to clothing stores without feeling absolutely ridiculous or inferior towards every girl I see. My mom and everyone always complains how I'm fat, how I have a huge nose, , and elephant thighs. I was also born with bad skin, so whenever I go to church or anything, people ALWAYS assume that I eat a lot of junk or I just don't wash my face. And what's even worst,  I have stretchmarks all over my legs. calves, and thighs, so I can't wear anything besides long skirts, long jeans, and thick leggings. And now, people are wondering why I am so depressed-like. I've been sent to a counselor multiple times, but they just treat my "problem" as a puberty sort of stage, when this has been happening for my whole life. I know looks isn't everything, but apparently, it is. I feel like dying right now of humility and hatred. I'd never say nobody understands me, but in this case, nobody probably understands me.

Friend: Dear SelfConscious,

Please don’t hate yourself! Everyone is biased and has their own opinion on others, but in the end it should all come down to you and what you think of yourself(: If you think you’re beautiful, then carry yourself to that! Even though I don’t know how you look like in person, I honestly believe that every girl out there has a beauty of her own, you included(:

Your mom shouldn’t say such spiteful words towards you because unless she’s perfect herself, she has no right to point fingers at any one else. Nobody should scrutinize anyone unless they can look at themselves and say in full honesty that they are perfect. Everyone has their own opinions; you just have to learn to ignore them because they’re just that - opinions. They aren’t facts or anything of the sort, just people’s view on one another. Nobody can read one another’s minds, so if you only keep those thoughts to yourself then that’s all they’ll ever be – thoughts. Try and explain to your mom how everything she’s been telling you has done nothing but hurt you and put you down. Making their child feel bad is the last thing any parent should want.

There are many treatments and medication that can help you with your skin. Stretch marks can be dealt with certain creams that can help minimize their appearance. As for acne, blemishes, etc. Why not see a dermatologist if it’s really bad? A professional can help recommend great products that can help clear up your skin, or at least make it better, where you’ll end up smiling just as bright as those people on those skin care commercials(: One thing I definitely recommend to help clear acne is to stay away from junk food, fast food, and drink plenty of water. Fast food and junk food has many oils, sugars, etc. that can only add to your acne problems. Once I cut off all fast food and only ate junk food once a week or so, my skin cleared up almost immediately. Drinking plenty of water also really helps to cleanse your body and it can also rehydrate you from the inside and out(:

If you’re not happy with the way you look, then you can always try and make a change(: If you want to shed off those few pounds, who says you can’t do it? All it takes is some motivation and perseverance(: Sticking to a strictly healthy diet may be hard at first but it’ll get easier as the days go by, and it’ll definitely be worth it when you realize how great and energized you feel by those veggies and other healthy foods(:  One key thing I found out that can really eliminate those pounds is by simply drinking water. Yup, it’s as easy as that. If you cut out soda, alcohol, or any sugary drink from your diet and replace it with water – you’ll see that number on the scale drop just like that. Doing something small like ordering a glass of water instead of a can of soda when you’re out at a restaurant can help, trust me. If anything, I recommend seeing a nutritionist so he/she can help provide you a healthy and effective diet plan and regimen.

I know we all want to take the easy way out when it comes to weight loss by simply going on a strict diet and trying to follow through with it, but let me tell you that that won’t do you any good. Dieting is only half the battle, the other one involves exercise. I know, I know – we all hate to get our butts off that comfy couch but if you really want to shed those pounds then we all gotta get up and move!  Doing something small like parking a few feet farther from the store or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can all add up. If you think motivation can be an issue, why not sign up for a few gym classes with a professional trainer? I know it may sound ridiculous and gyms are stereotyped as place for sweaty oafs and body builders, but you’ll actually be surprised. Tons of people go to the gym and you can even bring some friends along with you to make the workout even more fun(:

We were all raised to compare ourselves to one another and it’s only human nature to compete with everyone who we view as better than us. We’re all pressured to be better than the other. Society’s really going downhill but you just have to learn to either put up with it, or ignore it. Sure some people might be rude and point out what they believe to be flaws, but that’s only what they see. Someone might call you ugly but someone else might think how pretty you are(: I know words can be hurtful, but you need to try and ignore the ones that are putting you down. The minute you realize that their words don’t affect you, and you have some great qualities about you that they don’t have, all will slowly start falling into place. Don’t compare yourself to the people around you, who says that you have to be skinny to be beautiful? I certainly don’t even know where that phrase even came from in the first place. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, don’t you ever forget that(:

Stay strong SelfConscious! :D

~(Chingu) 친구