Part 4: The Finale

Today was the scheduled last day of my self-affirmations and in all honesty, I was pretty sad. It all felt so bittersweet. Like watching the last episode of your favorite show. Even though I felt extremely uncomfortable in the beginning, I found that it really helped me over the time I spent doing it. 

The more days that passed, the more I seemed to benefit from my self-affirmations. Yesterday, in fact, I finally had the confidence to wear a somewhat revealing shirt that I had bought but was always too afraid to wear. I was afraid to look chubby or if others would slut-shame me for wearing something so revealing. I wore a skirt too! Usually, I worry if the skirt will go up or if my parents will shame me for wearing something so short. But, for once yesterday, I felt pretty! I was proud of the body I had and even prouder for mustering enough confidence to wear something like that. In the evening, I went on a date and I felt so incredibly happy to show my boyfriend. 

Overall, I gained so much more confidence and self-satisfaction this week. Telling myself that I was beautiful and that I was enough and seeing my smile in the mirror every day actually made me believe it more. I smiled more throughout the day, too! 

I mentioned in my first post that the cause that this one small thing benefits is mental illness. I don't think that has to be the case. Virtually anyone can do this, any day. It has benefits for everyone, not just the mentally ill. Everyone has imperfections and things they doubt about themselves and in doing this exercise, you can help to alleviate some of the negative consequences. Something to keep in mind is that when you're "working for a cause", you don't have to be benefiting others. You can help yourself! And in that way, you are working for the cause. 

This one small thing, of taking time to encourage yourself every day, was honestly really special to me and I don't think I'll have another experience like it again. I'll definitely be doing this again in the future. I think you should try it too! Who knows? You could end up seeing a much more beautiful version of yourself.