Do you feel beautiful today?

I admit it. I have hated my body. I have despised it. I have dreamed and wished and hoped that I looked better. I have also been the person to stand in front of a mirror and vow that I will love my body forever more. But, I've broken it all of those time. I'm very much not alone in this feeling.

I'm not the type of girl that goes through the enormous pain to look beautiful. Sure there are those days that I do a little bit extra. Mascara. That's my secret. I never wear make up, except maybe a little cover up. But, if I slather on mascara I instantly feel more beautiful. I don't suffer for beauty, except for the occasional high heel.

I have three sisters, so I've been through the 'does this make my butt look fat?' and 'oh man, I need to diet now!' things so many times. My younger sister is the worst. She is incredibly skinny and I have been asked numerous amounts of time if she is sick. As far as I know she is not. She eats the most food I have ever seen, but gains no weight. It's incredible really. She also works painstakingly to look good. She is late leaving every morning because she has to add that little bit more make up or correct a loose hair.

I believe the reason for this 'I've got to make myself look amazing' is related a lot to what other people will think of you. I read Full Frontal Feminism, my favorite, on Sunday night. She mentions being called ugly.  This hurts. I've been called ugly and it seriously hurts. What a horrible thing to call anyone. It makes you think about what you've done to deserve that. It also makes you want to change everything about yourself. Jessica Valenti mentions begging her parents for a nose job. In all seriousness this is real now. A lot of younger and younger people are getting "jobs" done to make their self more beautiful. Teenagers are getting these as gifts. It's incredible. I wasn't ever directly told growing up, but I knew that it wasn't how you looked that counted. I feel like that's like getting a gift and being told it's the thought that counts. If it's the inside that counts why are Revlon, Cover Girl and all other make up companies making so much money from women who insist on making the outside look better?

You're all beautiful on the inside and outside. You don't really need make up or high heels. So throw on your favorite sweats and put your feet up. Believe me, you'll feel better than ever.