Have you ever felt unpretty? Have you ever felt unworthy? Have you ever felt like you were never enough? Well, I have felt all three. As a teenager, I suffered with low self-esteem on many occasions. According to Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem, 2008, “Seven in ten girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members.”
One of the ways I was able to combat many of those self-esteem issues was through pageantry. Competing in pageants gave me the confidence I needed to embrace my authentic self and live life unapologetically. I believe having a healthy self-esteem is crucial in order to experience success if every area of your life. May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this month we focus on teens having a healthy outlook on themselves so they can be successful. As titleholders, it is important that you have a healthy self-esteem so you can reign effectively and empower others in the process. During National Teen-Self Esteem Month, I have four activities that you can do to not only raise awareness but empower yourself and others.
- Host a Self-Esteem Workshop.
This can be a simple workshop where you invite teenage girls to a safe space and discuss issues related to self-esteem. You can discuss topics such as having a healthy mindset, healthy body image, effective communication, and etiquette. If you want to take it up a notch, host a self-esteem party. You can rent out a venue, serve food, and book a DJ to play positive, uplifting tunes. This is perfect way to just celebrate YOU!
- Start a Book Club.
“Reading is nutrition for the mind.” Find a good book that is both uplifting and empowering, gather a group a friends, and read the book together. Once you all have finished reading the book, come together and discuss it. This can be down at a home, library, or other meeting space. Share what you have learned and how the book has helped you. You will be surprised what you can take away from the pages of a book.
- Keep a Journal of Affirmations.
I am a big believer in affirmations. Affirmations are statements of emotional support and encourage. They are vital tools used to help individuals move from a negative space to a positive space. Purchase a cute notebook or journal from your local Wal-Mart or Target, and write an affirmation in it each day. Some great examples of affirmations are the following:
“I am fierce and fabulous.”
“The crown I bear is made of ambition, love, and wisdom.”
“I radiate with intelligence.”
A few of these examples are actually from my book Affirm the Queen: 50 Affirmations That Empower Women and Girls for Success, but you can even create your own affirmations. Get creative! They key is to write affirmations that will not only make you feel good about yourself, but write some that will inspire you take action as well.
- Host a Self-Esteem Walk.
I am pretty sure you have participated in walks for cancer, heart disease, or even diabetes before or during your reign. Why not host a walk for self-esteem? This walk can be 1 mile or even a 5K. Not only is walking a healthy form of exercise but it boosts endorphins which helps to minimize stress. Less stress leads to a happier and healthier mindset. Not only are you raising awareness, but you are helping yourself, too.
Take the time to work on your self-esteem because your future depends on it. Remember, you are beautiful, you are fabulous, and you are enough.
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