Sometimes I think about what I wish someone would have said to me at that age to lighten the burden of my poor self-image. Like, “Your worth is so much greater than your physical body”, or, “You are such a hardworking student”, or, “You are beautiful because of how you make other people feel”. Read more: Body Image, Women and Body Image, Body Positivity, Healthy Living Body, Women's Empowerment, Body Confidence, Women's Self-Esteem, Girls Self-Esteem, Self Love, Self-Confidence, Confidence, Women's Body Confidence, Teen Body Image, Teen Body Confidence, Women News

Teach your daughter that her beauty is unique to her. She doesn’t have to conform to that latest “it” body type just to fit in. Show her how to cultivate her own inner confidence in who she is, regardless of what society says. Read more: Body Image, Women and Body Image, Family, Holistic Health, Positive Body Image, Healthy Living News

Be careful of who you surround yourself with. If your friends, bf, family, whoever, cannot get in formation around the idea of loving and supporting you, in the words of Bey, eliminate them. Read more: Curves, Curvy Women, Body Image, Women and Body Image, Body Confidence, Body Positivity, Body Shaming, Style News

No matter what you’ve been through, or what you’re going through, you can choose to rise. You can pull yourself up, and look yourself in the eye and say, “Today is the day.” Read more: Being Active, Body, Body Confidence, Career Advice for Women, Career Change, Confidence, Healthy Living Body, Healthy-Eating-Active-Living, Mel Parrish, Melinda Parrish, Mind.Body.Soul, Plus Size, Plus Size Model, Plus Size Models, Plus-Size, Plus-Size Models, Rosie, Rosie Mercado, Self-Confidence, TRUE Beauty Sisters, TRUE Curves, True Model Management, Women and Body Image, Women-and-Confidence, Style News

For years I did not think marriage was possible. My mental illness and difficulty adjusting made me believe that I would never feel ready, that I’d never be wanted or find someone who would completely “understand” me. Read more: Weddings, Eating Disorders, Mental Health, Recovery, Stronger Together, Healthy Living News

My goal with this post is to leverage off my mistakes (and I’ve stumbled with many of the obstacles I’ve outlined below) to build that awareness within you and help you pin-point what yours are–if you’re struggling with this particular area of your life — so that you can start clearing the path to your goal. Read more: Weight Loss, Weight Loss Tips, Healthy Living, Healthy Eating, Healthy Lifestyle, Diet, Diet and Nutrition, Diet and Fitness, Dieting, Healthy Diet, Fitness and Exercise, Fitness, Eating Disorders, Women's Health, Motivation, Weight Loss Motivation, Emotional Wellness, Wellbeing, Wellness, Food, Exercise, Healthy Living News