[sun_flower]

I have been buying and using new facial moisturizers, new shampoo's and conditioner's to try and make myself look and feel better. I have shiny hair, but I hate the cut. I can never get a haircut that I like.

I hate my face. I know I can't possibly be "the ugliest" person in the world, but I feel like it. I am preoccupied with the idea that I am.

Do some people look in the mirror and like the image looking back at them?
I have never been able to do that. I only see my flaws.

I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin. Look in the mirror and feel content. Go out in public and not feel like people are gawking at "the freak show".

I just had to get this off of my mind. It's always on my mind and it drives me crazy.

[lynn P.]

I think many women, especially young women are way to critical of themselves. This is due to the unrealistic beauty industry and of course the way we are raised. Young women are bombarded daily with this idea of perfect beauty, but most people don't realize these pictures are photo - shopped to the extreme. Even the models themselves don't look like that lol. The only company which uses real women is the Dove company. I like this website http://www.dove.us/ click on 'campaign for real beauty'. All we can do is accent our positive points and accept ourselves. Remember real beauty is also on the inside.

[ruffy]

Sunflower...I was just thinking about this very thing the other day! Glad you brought it up! Have you ever noticed one day you can put on an outfit, make up, do your hair and feel like, OK, I look pretty good. But wear that same outfit a different day, do the make up and hair the same way and feel like your look absolutely horrible, ashamed even to go out the front door. I honestly think its chemical. The outfit hasnt changed, nor the makeup, nor the hair (unless you got a cut you hate) The only thing that has changed is your own perception of yourself. Im still trying to work this out... The only thing changing really is our own feelings, moods and emotions. In most of our cases these moods, feelings and emotions are constantly changing because of the chemical imbalances in our brains. Dont know if Im right but it sort of makes a little sense, doesnt it?

[kim_johnson]

I go through phases of 'I'm okay' and 'omg I'm hideous', too. One thing I've come to realize that others perception of me (which I have no reason to doubt) is fairly different from my perception of myself. E.g., I think of myself as having a 'chunky' build whereas others describe me as 'slim'.

One thing that has really helped me... Is joining the gym. I don't care too much what I look like anymore, instead my focus has shifted to what this body can do. What this body can do can improve with some hard work. What this body looks like... Well... So long as I look healthy I guess I don't much care anymore.