If I could go back and talk to my 20-year-old self, the first thing I would tell her is to get rid of these bullshit magazines. Some of the most regrettable decisions I made were due to the articles in magazines like these. These magazines made it sound like sex was to be used as a weapon of empowerment and that one-night-stands were something to be proud of (I only had a couple of one-night-stands in my early 20s, and I definitely didn’t feel proud the next morning). I had no idea that following the advice of these articles would leave me with years of shame and regret. I was young and naive and I believed pretty much anything anyone told me – even stupid fashion magazines.

And don’t even get me started on the photoshopping and how damaging to body image these magazines are. The video explains that all well enough.

Guys, this is an entire industry built on making us believe we aren’t good enough. Why are these things still even in existence??? Aren’t we beyond this type of thinking by now? And if not, what is it going to take to make us all aware that no matter what we weigh or what the size tag says in our jeans, we are all PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE AS IS? Not happy with your weight? That’s fine. But don’t fall for the lie that you are somehow less-than because of it. Let’s stop believing that lie, OKAY?????? Enough already!!

I know it’s not that simple, but can we at least agree to start trying to believe that we are worthy and deserving of love and admiration and respect just because we are alive? You deserve it – all of it – all of the love, all of the respect, all of the magic in the universe, simply because you get up each day and do your thing.

So put down the shamezines and refuse to believe that your beauty is flawed. You are loved and lovely and worthy and deserving.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE YOU ARE YOU. BELIEVE IT.