#DovePartner I was looking through some old photos and immediately texted my best friend, “I will never forgive myself for not comprehending how cute I was!” That’s hyperbole. I forgive myself. Haha! Today is #InternationalDayoftheGirl and I’m proud to celebrate with @Dove and @BGCA_Clubs to empower and help girls overcome today’s obstacles. An estimated 45% of Generation Z say they feel anxious about their appearance. Low body confidence and anxiety over appearance are stopping young people from being their best selves, it is affecting their mental health, physical health, friendships, and even performance at school. Childhood trauma, mental illness, media representation, and other systemic oppression really fueled my self-hatred. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, I don’t think I would’ve been ready to hear it, but here it is anyway… “You may feel like you need to work incredibly hard and constantly be on your toes to fit in and feel beautiful. You may feel like your lack of beauty and your awkwardness make you a burden to others; all this effort and strain is what you owe to others for the space you take up by existing. But you don’t owe anyone anything. Please take a deep breath, shake those shoulders out, shake your face, and relax it, massage your jaw. You can love yourself as you are right at this moment, take your time, discover all that you are, and then give yourself the love you deserve.” As part of their long term partnership, @Dove and The Boys & Girls Clubs of America are teaming up to empower girls for International Day of the Girl! @BGCA_Clubs provides girls in need with life-changing mentors and programs to ensure great futures are still possible. 88% of club girls feel they can stand up for what’s right, even when their friends disagree. You can give more girls a great future by donating to @BGCA_Clubs through October 14. Dove has committed $250,000 to increase your impact! Check out the donation link in my stories! #GreatFuturesForHer #DoveSelfEsteemProject [Image Description: A school photo of Annie with short black hair and smiling with a backdrop behind her, wearing a denim vest and salmon shirt] (at Miami, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGNTQcljPsk/?igshid=8u918s8jcao4
