This is my face, covered in freckles...

"I'm fat"

"No, you're not. Why do you think that?"

"Because I don't look like any of the girls at school or the models on tv"

This was a recent conversation between me and an 11 year old girl. This is a conversation that shouldn't be happening.

You know that moment, when you look in the mirror, and what you see isn't what you want to see? You close your eyes, holding back tears, and think "ok, let's try this again. Suck in a little more, smile a little less, add a jacket to hide behind". But when you open your eyes again, nothing has changed. You are you. Whether you want to be or not.

I think almost every girl struggles with it. Everyday is like living in a mental battlefield, struggling to find even just one thing about yourself you like. Some days are better than others, without a doubt, but there is still that tiny flame whispering lies to you about yourself.

I know most of us have already heard that the media is false in their belief of beauty. That we shouldn't dwell so much on ourselves and our looks. That we are beautiful just the way we are and are being completely ridiculous. So then, why are we still struggling? Why are 11 year old girls (and younger) looking in the mirror and feeling discontent and shame? Why does the truth not feel like enough? Head knowledge is one thing. Heart knowledge is a completely different thing. Some of us know it in our heads, but few know it in their hearts. And when the world is pushing us down in a ditch of shame and slapping our faces with discontent, many of us become too weary to even try to fight.

I know this subject has been discussed until it's blue in the face, so I'm going to keep this short. I just want to remind each girl out there how incredibly beautiful she is. No, you probably don't look like the women on tv or the girls at school and around you. But you shouldn't. You are your own beauty. There is only one of you out there in the world. So make the most of it. Next time you look in the mirror, remind yourself, you are the only you there is or ever will be. Your beauty is perfect and flawless and you have been fearfully and wonderfully made by your Husband, who is completely in love with you. <3