“SELF LOVE”

By Shelley Casao
Introduction
*this is me*
I am not a stranger to the dark
Hide away, they say
Cause we don’t want your broken parts
I’ve learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one’ll love you as you are

BUT

I have a question for everyone, that question is what defines you as a person? What makes you, you? It’s
a simple question but if I were to answer that I’ll answer it within 3 words, I DON’T KNOW. Many people tend
to go with the safest answer which is their good personality. Is it really just a “personality”? Yes, maybe? Since
we have different opinions, perspectives, and thoughts about a person. Does it matter? Thinking that in today’s
generation there are a lot of discrimination circling not just around us but they can also degrade us through the
use of the social media platform. Are we going to continue living our life just to satisfy other people’s
expectations?

Living in this world, I personally experience how hard it is for me to handle my own insecurities. There
are doubts revolving inside of me on what may people think about me as a person. You know what? It all
started when they call me names such as stick, bamboo, or even flat where I just laughed it out taking it as a
joke but deep inside it made me feel worthless. And as time goes by, I decided to go along with it since it made
them happy which is very me or you can call me a “selfless” individual who is more concerned with the others
rather than my own good. Yes, that’s me, a girl who always says okay even you body shamed me, belittle my
ability, made fun of my imperfections, ITS TOTALLY OKAY. I lived like that everyday being conscious about
what I should wear and not where it came to the point, I start hating random things like wearing jeans with the
reason that it’ll made me look like a lifeless plank. I also refrained myself from joining school-based pageants
even if my own family keeps insisting and believing in me that I can.

Then one day, with the help of my friends all of these nightmares became my turning point that made
my life more worth living. The ones who appreciate me when me myself alone can’t do that, the ones who kept
me going despite all of the criticisms, and the ones who helped me grow into the person I want to become. I
knew I wanted to make a change the moment they entered my dull life. I’m glad I found the ones who I can call
as my safe haven. And this unfamiliar feeling that I never experience in my whole life, it felt so good! the
feeling of being secured, trusted, and loved. Look at me! I am now a woman who doesn’t know boundaries at
all. I am now standing in front of you as a beauty queen who conquered all the negative self-talks and
transformed it into a self-love. And I believe when you love yourself first, contentment, happiness and peace of
mind will follow. Thank you!

I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I’m meant to be, THIS IS ME!