Latest news with #selfacceptance
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Katie Piper: 'Ageing can be compared to a bereavement'
Presenter and campaigner Katie Piper has told an audience at the Hay Festival in Wales that "ageing can be compared to a bereavement."The former model has had hundreds of surgeries to repair damage to her face and eyesight following an attack on the orders of her ex-boyfriend, which took place when she was 24 in latest book, which is published on Friday, is titled Still Beautiful: On Age, Beauty and Owning Your 41-year-old said: "Women age out of the male gaze. I was ripped from the male gaze at 24. I didn't just become invisible. I became a target for people saying derogatory things." She expanded on her description of ageing being like a bereavement: "Sometimes we know we're losing somebody or something, and it's slow, it's gradual, and when it's ageing, we look down at our hands, we see they look different. "We catch ourselves in the shop window, and everything's changed. Piper, who is also a presenter on the BBC programme Songs of Praise and ITV's Loose Women. said she had recently been asked if writers minded if they mentioned her age."It was shocking, but not surprising. This was because I had been reminded at such a young age the currency and the power a woman holds when she is considered either beautiful or young, and now here I was going through the second phase of youth slipping away and feeling, once again, society's judgement and the label that they were going to put on to me."She said: "I wanted to write this book... to really tell people where I have found myself, not just when I was no longer considered beautiful, but when I was told that I was losing my power because I was no longer a young woman. "Among my peers, I'm not the most beautiful, I'm not the youngest, but I'm one of the most powerful." In the book, Piper writes: "What if ageing is the magic key to letting go of other people's expectations and truly starting to live how we want to live."She told the audience: "It makes you in control of your own destiny. And that scares some people, because if we are no longer insecure if we're confident, if we're not chasing something unpaid, what can they sell to us? What overpriced cream and diet and contraption will we spend our money on? "We really glamorise youth. We talk about our 20s, [as] the time of your life, the best years. Okay, I had a very different 20s than most, because I was in the hospital, but your average 20-year-old, it's actually the time for mistakes... where you're least financially secure, you're least experienced. You don't really have as much confidence to put boundaries in." 'True evil' She said she felt positive about getting older."I'm going to be 42 in October. I'm still incredibly young to many, and old and past it to some. You realise, 'I know who I am.' I have a strong sense of self and is the heyday. This is the time of my life. So I can only imagine what's on 50s and 60s and the decades beyond. I feel excited by that second chapter." Piper, who mentors victims of acid attacks through the Katie Piper Foundation, recounted two stories when she had faced discrimination because of the way she one incident, some men in a van whistled at her when they saw her from behind but then threw a sandwich at her when they saw her face (she was wearing a plastic mask at the time following some treatment) and another time, a first date walked out on her in a London restaurant leaving her to pick up a tab that was more than £ she said: "You need to realise, on the whole, people are really good. Seventeen years ago, when I did that first cutting edge documentary (Channel 4's Katie: My Beautiful Face), what it did is it opened me up to the good side of society. Up until that point, I had seen true evil in mankind, but only in two people (her attackers)."She said if she had to give one message to her younger self, it would be: "If you've ever felt less than... you've hated yourself or felt ashamed, it was never you. It was society, consumerism and capitalism. It was beneficial to someone, somewhere, to hold you down. "Whether that was in a relationship, a corporate company or a brand, it was never you. You were always fine just as you are, and you always will be." More from the Hay Festival Sharon Horgan says she only found confidence after Bad Sisters series twoJacqueline Wilson says she wouldn't return to Tracy Beaker as an adultWhy Succession creator Jesse Armstrong is writing about rich people again
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
ITV reality star reveals life-changing health diagnosis aged 46, saying ‘I feel numb'
REALITY TV star Natalie Russell has opened up about her recent life-changing diagnosis. The star of the ITV series, My Mum, Your Dad revealed she had been diagnosed with ADHD, saying she was "feeling numb" after hearing the news. 3 3 Short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD is a disorder that affects peoples ability to regulate their attention, energy levels and impulse control. As Natalie pointed out in her Instagram video revealing her diagnosis, there has been increasing numbers of cases being picked up in adulthood. The 45-year-old said getting the diagnosis "brought up a lot of things, and it's made a lot of things make sense." "There's that kind of relief and self-understanding that comes with it, and then there's also probably some grief there of knowing that had I had that understanding earlier on in life... might have changed the course of things for me," Natalie said. "There's so many things that I'm now looking back at and going, 'oh, that explains it'." Natalie spoke on experiencing emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitivity disorder which are common symptoms of ADHD. "It's interesting times [for me], and I think I've definitely felt my symptoms more because of my perimenopause... it's become so much more apparent, and I've found that quite frustrating," she said. "Although I knew I had a lot of the symptoms, I think just hearing someone else confirm it [has helped]." Natalie added: "I think the fundamental part of it is like self-acceptance. and compassion for yourself. "That's so key, because I'm having to extend a lot of grace to myself." Natalie's followers thanked her for her honesty and reacted to the video in the comments section of her post. "It's a complex thing to process so definitely give yourself the time you need - lots of mixed emotions, and I'm sure the waves will rise and fall as you come to terms with them," wrote one person. Another added: "Absolutely love you, you always speak from the heart." And a third commented: "Thankyou for sharing. I can relate to every word." The 9 signs of ADHD in adults ADHD has long been associated with naughty schoolkids who cannot sit still in class. And that is part of it. Fidgeting, daydreaming and getting easily distracted are all symptoms of the behavioural condition, which is why it is often spotted in children. However, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is far more complex than simply having trouble focusing. Henry Shelford, CEO and co-founder of ADHD UK, says: 'If it isn't debilitating, it isn't ADHD.' In recent years, social media has given rise to trends which conflate specific personality traits or single behaviours with ADHD. You might be thinking, 'I'm always losing my keys, forgetting birthdays and I can never concentrate at work — I must have ADHD'. But it's not as simple as that. Though these may all point to the condition, Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic, says: 'The key distinction lies in how much a behaviour impacts a person's daily life. 'Genuine ADHD symptoms affect multiple areas of life - work, relationships and emotional wellbeing - whereas personality traits are typically context-dependent and less disruptive.' ADHD UK's Henry, who has the condition himself, adds: 'Having ADHD is hard. One in ten men with ADHD and one in four women with ADHD will at some point try to take their own lives.' So how can ADHD manifest in someone's life? While hyperactivity is a common indicator, here are nine other subtle signs: Time blindness - losing track of time, underestimating how long tasks will take, regularly being late or excessively early Lack of organisation - a messy home, frequently misplacing items, forgetting deadlines Hyperfocus - becoming deeply engrossed in activities for hours Procrastination - feeling overwhelmed by to-do lists and struggling to determine what needs your attention first so focusing on less important tasks Heightened emotions - emotional struggles can manifest in angry outbursts, feeling flooded with joy or shutting down because you feel too much at once Being a 'yes man' - agreeing to new projects at work or dinner dates with friends when you're already busy (a desire to please) Impatience - interrupting people mid-conversation, finding it painful to stand in a queue, being overly chatty Restlessness - tapping, pacing, fidgeting or feeling restless on the inside Easily distracted - by external things, like noises, or internal things like thoughts Natalie, who is a self-esteem and relationship recovery coach appeared on My Mum, Your Dad. She was partnered up with Paul Edwards, 47, in the hit ITV show - but it wasn't meant to be as they split soon after filming was over.
The Verge
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Keita Takahashi returns with the whimsically weird To a T
From the worm-like character stretching to the length of the planetary system in Noby Noby Boy, to the tiny Prince hoarding a spherical mass of objects and even buildings in Katamari Damacy, the heroes of Keita Takahashi's games reflect the creator's whimsical vision. To a T is yet another Takahashi title that fits that playful tradition, well, to a tee. The protagonist is a young teen, aptly named Teen, whose body is permanently stuck in a T-pose. But while they may be able to wiggle their fingers a little or move their wrists to reach out for an item, their elbows are woefully nonexistent. That's okay, though! Like most of Takahashi's games, To a T is also a heartwarming tale about self-acceptance. Prep, an indie pop band from England, even composed an infectious, chirpy theme song for the game about already being the perfect shape, no matter what you look like. In a world where elbows are very much an accessory to daily life, Teen has to go through some pretty unconventional routines due to their irreversibly stiff arms. For one thing, Teen can't put on clothes, use the toilet, or even dry their face on their own. Even walking down the street can be a little cumbersome, since their outstretched arms mean they may inadvertently slap their hands into another passerby. Fortunately for Teen, they have a trusty sidekick — a dog named Dog — who's more than eager to help them navigate these tasks. Take washing your face, which can initially be an unfamiliar affair. As Teen, you'll need to twist your upper body, reaching your hand toward the tap — one that's uniquely designed for Teen's predicament — and lower your head, so the stream of water spurts upward to your face. Then, you'll hold your position until your face is clean and free of persistent eye boogers. Brushing your teeth is another fiddly routine. This is done by reaching for a toothbrush with a particularly long handle, getting Dog's help in squirting a bit of toothpaste on it, and then scrubbing your teeth until they're squeaky clean. But these activities aren't designed to be tedious; you aren't carefully calibrating every small movement like you would in physics games like Bennett Foddy's QWOP and Getting Over It. Instead, these are simply different sorts of routines you'll need to get used to. When your arms are resolutely perpendicular to your body, these activities are just all in a day's work. They're also genuinely joyful, even if the movements can appear superfluous. Rinsing your mouth is a matter of wriggling the analog stick or direction keys and then pressing another button to spit the water out into the sink. But you can also shake your head while doing that, so that your spit will trickle out like a meandering, miniature waterfall. Using the toilet allows you to mash several buttons, just so you can listen to Teen huffing and grunting as they go about their business behind closed doors. There's really no point to doing so other than giggling at these sights and sounds, but it's such a delightful way of prodding at the game's inherent silliness. That's the beauty behind To a T — it has zero pretensions about the kind of game it's trying to be. In fact, To a T later informs you that you can skip any of these routines if you like. Want to eat breakfast without brushing your teeth right after? If you can tolerate seeing green gunk stuck on your teeth for the rest of the day, go right ahead. The game isn't going to penalize you for skipping teeth brushing for a day — or two. To a T is chockful of such diminutive joys. Breakfast consists of cereal and flavored milk every day, such as chocolate, matcha, and mango, and there's a small thrill in discovering what these mixtures would taste like to Teen. In one meal, Teen commented that the cereal tasted like rubbery tires, and in another it was an explosion of strange, candy flavors. Regardless of the taste, they welcomed every mouthful of these sugary treats with gusto. Exploring the neighborhood, particularly on weekends, feels especially liberating, as your day is seemingly filled with endless possibilities for fun. Eateries offer minigames in the form of speed-eating contests, as you devour a giant corn on the cob and even hailstorms of ice cream. There are coins to collect and discover among the shrubberies and rooftops, new shops to look at, and fascinating locales — from a lighthouse to a magical mushroom forest — to get lost in. Even attending school was an adventure, even though Teen was largely reluctant to head to class in his first few days due to relentless bullying, a problem that does get resolved. Eventually, Teen discovers an innate talent for flying. By spinning on their toes like a ballerina, they gain the ability to traverse higher grounds. This skill does have a bit of a learning curve, however. As it turns out, flying isn't particularly intuitive, and it took me several tries to get my feet off the ground. But as with most gimmicks in To a T, failing isn't really that big of a deal-breaker. You're free to wander around town however you prefer, be it flying, running, or riding a unicycle. As you delve deeper into the game, To a T spins an increasingly ludicrous-yet-charming tale, one that Takahashi himself has referred to as being rather 'stupid' in an interview. Having finished the game, I can attest that one of its final moments is, indeed, almost irredeemably nonsensical. Yet it also made me crack a really wide smile, something I haven't done while playing games in a while. Playing and making games amid a politically fraught climate may seem frivolous, and this is an issue that Takahashi mentioned he was struggling with when he was working on his previous game, Wattam. But To a T 's central message of acceptance, and of finding joy in life's smallest moments, feels like a salve for these trying times. At the very least, its positivity gave me the impetus to keep trudging on — hopefully it'll do the same for you, too. To a T launches on May 28th on the PS5, Xbox, and PC.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
People Are Sharing The Hardest Pills To Swallow About Emotional Maturity, And Honestly, Oof
We've all had to face that gut-punch moment when growth means letting go, or when healing feels lonelier than the pain we left behind. So when u/buoykym asked, "What's the hardest pill to swallow when it comes to emotional growth?" the answers came pouring in. From realizing that no one owes you closure, to learning that some people just won't change, here are 25 of the hardest truths people have had to face on the road to emotional growth — and the clarity they found along the way: 1."Nobody owes you anything — not a text back, not a smile, not closure, not loyalty, not even fair treatment. People are free to live their lives in whatever way brings them peace — just like you are. That truth can bring clarity, but it can also feel brutally lonely. Because we're not isolated beings. We're social creatures. We influence one another. We hurt, heal, and grow with — and because of — each other. And yet, some people never acknowledge the weight of what they've done. Not because they're malicious, but because, to them, it wasn't heavy. They didn't feel it the way you did. That's why healing can't be outsourced. You can't wait for someone to validate your pain or come back and fix what they broke. Healing is your job. And when you accept that — truly accept it — something shifts. You grow emotionally. You stop expecting others to carry your pain or rewrite your past." —u/buoykym 2."You will outgrow people you love (or loved), and you cannot help them grow if they are unwilling to put in the work and be honest about their emotional development. It will be hard to share your emotions because they can't understand, handle or support you the way you want and need them to. Eventually, it will feel like you're speaking different languages, and you'll wonder how you managed and survived that dynamic for so long. At some point, you realize you can't stay, because staying would hold you back from your own growth. Hoping they'll reach their potential is likely to hurt you. There's no guarantee they'll grow, and your staying may enable them. You can't save them — you have to save yourself. The most loving thing you can do is leave so you both can grow, but separately." —u/Psyducknomad 3."Some relationships are just what they are. Some are holistic and all-encompassing. Others are just about talking about the weather. If your boundaries are continually violated, that's something else. If there's a history, the old conditioning will create some friction at first. But over time, you'll figure out what's appropriate and what isn't in an updated paradigm. There may be circumstances where you have to end communication and move on for your own growth, but it also speaks to your growth and capacity to relate to the world if you can still revisit the valuable parts of the relationship — if they still exist. I think there's more nuance to consider when talking about saving yourself vs. saving them, which is an extreme polarity often pushed by social media." —u/algaeface 4."That I'm not fundamentally broken — or that the incessant shame I feel is not the definition of my worth as a person. It's hard to swallow that pill because, while I can accept it logically, 95% of my brain can't. It's like understanding what living under oppression is like from textbooks vs. living through it yourself." —u/throwawaydefeat 5."I'm working to let go of my shame. My therapist recently asked me a question I've been chewing on: 'Is your shame your friend?' I think it is. It's a friend I never leave feeling good, but I trust what it says because I believe it's showing me how to be better. Shame never leaves me joyful or energized, but it also never leaves me wondering what happened. It explains, in exact detail, what went wrong so I can avoid making the same mistake. Shame is the tough love I was raised to believe corrects bad behavior. What I'm struggling with is convincing myself that Shame has a skewed perspective — a narrative that says I need to be taught because I'm dumb or, worse, because I'm responsible for how others treat me. Shame may think it's protecting me from future abuse, but it's become the one who abuses me most. Good intentions don't outweigh the emotional harm caused by believing I deserve punishment for someone else's actions." "It's hard to let go of a coping mechanism that's been with me so long, I don't know who I am without it. That's the deepest part of me: I feel ashamed for every breath I take, every resource I use, every second I exist in someone else's reality. If I part ways with shame, who will stand between me and the pain of others' misdeeds? I know misdeeds are coming — always. Sometimes less often, but they come. What walls will protect me if I haven't steeled my heart against the pain of rejection or anger?" —u/OroraBorealis 6."That I'm not for everyone. As a people pleaser, everyone had to like me. My self-worth depended on external approval and validation. But for all the nice things I did, I always felt a little resentment growing. I didn't know what it was — or maybe I did and refused to admit it. Being 'nice' was the worst coping skill. It wasn't genuine. It came with strings attached: needing approval or acceptance. I've accepted that not everyone will like me, and that's OK. That small truth has been incredibly powerful. Being rejected and abandoned as a kid left me with a lot of self-esteem issues. But I now know that who I am is enough for the people who truly matter. For those who don't? I'm not for everyone — and that's OK." "I'm moving forward with a mindset of being kind rather than nice. Kindness, to me, has no strings. I try to be kind just for the sake of it. It's been hard to accept, and I've stumbled along the way. But it's important to give yourself grace. You're allowed to fail. As the saying goes: Fall down 10 times, get up 11." —u/OkWanKenobi 7."Time does not heal all wounds. Time without self-reflection and change may provide brief relief, but you'll end up in the same cycle unless you do the work. Growth is a discipline, not an instant result. That's why it's important to live in the moment and get the most out of life." —u/Aeon_acid-re_Flux 8."You're not as special as you think you are. People change, adapt to new environments and can completely forget about you — and that's OK. No one should be placed on a pedestal. People will do whatever they want. In growing emotionally, I've realized I don't linger on sad situations because I don't think anyone is that special. We move on. It just takes time. Maybe this doesn't make sense, but the reason we stay stuck in painful situations is because we refuse to let go and see things for what they are. We put people or situations on a pedestal too often." —u/wintertaeyeon Related: "The Damage Is Irreversible." Doctors And Nurses Are Revealing The "Small" Health Signs That People Should Never, Ever Ignore 9."After my long, difficult marriage ended, I was faced with two startling realizations. A) I got together with my ex-husband when I was 19. At 38, I realized I didn't know who I was. My adult life had revolved around him, and I had no identity outside of him. B) I left with nothing and no one to turn to. The biggest wake-up call was realizing that no one was coming to save me. I had let relationships degrade to the point where I was no one's priority. I was alone." "Thank god for therapy, lol. That realization knocked me out of my stupor. I was frozen for eight months, but getting an eviction notice was like a bucket of ice water. It was time to get up and take care of myself — because no one else would." —u/token_village_idiot 10."Losing everything in life shows you who really cares about you vs. who's just putting on a performance. I no longer accept fake apologies or questionable decisions. Small cracks in loyalty and integrity shouldn't be ignored or forgiven so easily. Someone quick to betray you once will do it again when things get tough." —u/LowDot187 11."Maybe not a pill to swallow — but more the realization that I was just a kid and it wasn't my fault. It's definitely my responsibility to heal, of course. But realizing my emotions were invalidated for the first time? That was hard." —u/DryWerewolf7579 12."Realizing my family will never be the loving people I hoped they'd become was devastating. I truly don't believe they would physically harm anyone, but their ignorance and underlying bigotry cause irreparable harm. I've come to the conclusion that I will always love them — but I don't like them as people. I keep my distance, not to hurt them, but because I can't live with their ignorance. And, honestly, the pain of longing hurts less than their bigotry. Maybe that's why I feel a growing fear of loneliness." "I've been open about this, but it's still hard to write or talk about. Honestly, it gets harder each time, because every time I open up, I relive the same painful feelings." —u/tsterbster Related: 21 "Fatal" Safety Mistakes People Make Every Day (And How To Avoid Them), According To First Responders 13."The more I grow, the smaller my dating pool becomes." —u/JohnMayerCd 14."I am not a victim. I'm responsible for myself and have worked hard to reach a place where I can make my own closure. No one owes me anything. I've outgrown manipulation and low blows. I deserve better and won't tolerate unfair treatment anymore. I'm allowed to take up space. I'm allowed to make mistakes. I'm accountable for myself — and that's the honest truth. I'm done feeling sorry for things that no longer serve me." —u/Rhyme_orange_ 15."The hardest emotional truth, in my opinion, is realizing you're miserable, hurt, stressed or anxious — and that something has to change. When you truly start to 'get to know yourself,' things become clearer. If you address issues one by one and stick with it, you start to realize: Yes, some bad things happen beyond your control. But if you stop blaming others — or companies or institutions — you also realize: 'I allowed that person to treat me this way.' 'I could've set boundaries.' 'I could've spoken up or left that job.' This mindset builds self-understanding, boosts confidence, and helps you move forward — whatever 'forward' means to you." —u/pestman35 16."Most people walk around with a great deal of cognitive dissonance — and don't even realize it." —u/AGirlisNoOne83 17."I used to talk a lot. I'd argue, push back, and fight hard to prove I was right — just to feel heard. But losing someone you thought you'd never lose changes you. It takes a toll. After that, I stopped talking unnecessarily. I didn't have the energy to explain or defend myself. Now, when I'm tense or overwhelmed, I freeze. I go quiet. It's like my brain shuts down and says, 'Nothing you say will make this better.' And honestly? It's usually right. What changed everything for me was realizing I don't have to reply to everything. I don't need to explain myself unless it matters. When I stopped expecting responses — or offering them — I found peace. The world got quieter and kinder. Ironically, the people who were once upset by my silence often came back, realizing the issue wasn't me. Learning to speak only when it truly matters has been freeing." —u/ambuvjyn 18."I need to stop depending on others to help me. I need to depend on myself. I've started hugging myself — really hugging — and telling myself it's OK when I'm overwhelmed. And it feels like the hug I always needed." —u/Sensitive_Syrup1296 19."You are easily replaceable at work. And guess what? The work will continue — with or without you." —u/rainsmell555 20."The same people who were with you at the start of your healing journey won't be there at the end. I'm grateful I healed alone and realized that only I could save me." —u/weirdoinchains 21."That it cannot be any other way. The past is fixed, the future unknowable, and the present just is." —u/MrMashhead87 22."Some people will take everything you have if you let them. It took me years to accept that some people will see how little you have and still take it. These bloodsuckers will gaslight you, pretend they did nothing wrong, and watch your mental health deteriorate without caring. They'll even show up after you heal, just to try to scar you again and take what you've rebuilt. It's honestly fascinating how far some people will go to drain you. Setting firm boundaries and refusing second chances made a difference. But sticking to them — through the gaslighting, mental gymnastics, and manipulation — is still a challenge. At this point, these people feel like test subjects to me. Their greed, lack of empathy, and desperation should be studied. But at the root of it all? It's fear and insecurity." —u/funwearcore 23."Sometimes, even if you've been kind, respectful and genuine, people won't return that. I've come to realize kindness is often mistaken for weakness. Some people think they have integrity — but don't. They're quick to judge others but don't hold themselves to the same standard. Unhappy people often gossip and tear others down to feel better about themselves. It's tough, but sometimes it's better to be alone than to maintain friendships with inconsistent people. Trust is essential. If you can't trust someone, that relationship isn't healthy. When people are hot and cold, I don't pursue friendships. Reciprocity matters. If people treat you like an option, they're not worth your time or energy. This may sound obvious, but how often have we made excuses for someone's behavior when they were just showing us who they really are? Be kind to yourself first. Notice patterns — and believe them." "Anyone who puts you down to your face is absolutely doing worse behind your back." —u/PureCornsilk 24."Healing doesn't mean going back to who you were. It means building someone entirely new. Every day, you have to get up and put in the work to create that version of yourself." —u/growintheshade 25."Nobody is really thinking about you, making you feel a certain way, or co-creating your experiences. At the end of the day, month, year, or life, your reality is what you make of your sensory experience. Equanimity and peace are available in every next decision you make. Nothing else is required." —u/robin-incognito What's the hardest emotional truth you've had to face in your own growth? Maybe it was realizing you needed to walk away, or finally letting go of shame that never belonged to you in the first place. Whatever it is, let us know your thoughts or feelings in the comments below. Also in Goodful: 20 Wholesome Posts I Found On The Internet This Week That Are So Urgently Needed Right Now Also in Goodful: 19 "Garbage" Modern Trends People Refuse To Partake In Despite Their Popularity Also in Goodful: Medical Professionals Are Sharing "Mundane" Things That Actually Make So Many People Sick
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Courtney Stodden shows off her 'radical' pout after removing lip fillers and embracing a more natural look
Courtney Stodden proudly showed off her 'smaller' lips after revealing she'd removed her fillers. The TV personality, 30, shared her new look on Instagram as she opened up on her journey of embracing a new look after years of inflating her lips. She said: 'I started getting lip filler at 17. Back then, I truly believed I had to change myself to be accepted - even by me. I didn't give myself the chance to love who I really was.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Courtney added: 'I was chasing perfection, running from insecurity, and hiding behind enhancements. 'But recently, I made a decision that felt radical: I completely dissolved my lips! They feel small, but real! 'And I absolutely love them this way. For the first time, I'm beginning to learn that I am enough. 'This isn't about rejecting beauty - it's about redefining it on my own terms. I've learned that real confidence isn't in what we add, but in what we choose to embrace. 'To anyone who feels like they need to change to be enough: you don't. You already are.'
