Insecurities: I'm 3D not 2D!

I wrote a poem recently called "Drowning in insecurities" and I love it! It's provided an enormous amount of awareness and healing for me. My mom called it "heartbreakingly beautiful" and I thought that is a perfect description for it. Heartbreaking that the insecurities have hurt me for so long, but beautiful the place I am now. Loving myself. Believing I'm more than looks.

Throughout my journey my insecurities have been extensive and ongoing. I think most of us face this with insecurities because they are so deeply rooted. Making them some of the hardest thoughts to rewire. Hence, why it took me 30 some years.

I think it's safe to say that most of us face insecurities with our appearance, especially females. I also think it has gotten worse as media has grown and we compare ourselves to the "gorgeous" people out there. I know it grew for me when I compared myself to others pictures on social media. But the problem with that comparison is that it is based solely on looks.

For years I've listed the things I hate about myself (hair, crooked teeth, curvy, etc.) in every picture and every time I looked in the mirror. I recognize it's extremely unhealthy to list all those things and degrade myself in that way. Once I realized how much harm it was causing, I worked hard at changing those thoughts. Worked hard to change them to not be so critical, to love myself, and to believe I’m not defined by my appearance.

In therapy one day, I was talking about how I hate pictures of myself as that's when I am the hardest on me. Or I hate my reflection because I pick at my flaws and don't like the girl in the mirror. As we discussed this, I realized that part of the problem was pictures/mirrors only show one aspect of who we are, our appearance.

Images are 2D, flat and only one thing. We are one thing. We are not 2D. We are 3D!

3D meaning we have so many unique traits, features, and characteristics that make us who we are. We are not defined by the 2D version of just looks. We are the total 3D package, defined by our entire personality. (Side note: This has truly helped me get over pictures! I just tell myself focus on the 3D. Who I am and what happened in the moment!)

I encourage you to read this poem and focus on what's within. Stop focusing on the reflections and pictures, on the external beauty.

Make a list if of all the things you love about yourself. It may help you take make a list of your insecurities too, but that list you must burn and get rid of!

Whenever you find yourself focused on looks, focused on the 2D version of yourself, remind yourself of the things on your list that make you 3D; the things that make you beautiful inside and out.