YES!

Just realised my skin is clear enough to look good without photoshopping. (Though I haven't shopped a pic of mine since I was 15.)

It's still a bit dry but overall YAY! I've officially passed the horrible teenage-y hormonal and pimply stage. Actually, I've stopped having pimples (besides PMS pimples) for a few years now, but the scars took a long time to recover. There's still a little but pretty much negligible unless the weather is really hot.

Also, the top layer of my hair has FINALLY grown well past my shoulders and no longer sticks out in random directions. Another yay! I was devastated almost 2 years ago when a haircut went horribly wrong and my hair got layered up to almost eye level. -__- Needless to say, I never returned to that hairdresser and I now trust my mom completely to see to my hair's every need. <3

Why do I still care about how I look? Are you kidding me? Everyone cares about how they look to some degree. Though I have never been hysterical or suicidal over my face and body, I suddenly feel glad when I recall my young teenage self and how different I look now. So much has changed, and for the better, I believe.

Some people ask me, why do I even have to bother about my appearance now that I have a boyfriend? Silly question, if you ask me. Your appearance and self-esteem is not measured by how attractive you are to others, it's about whether you're satisfied with yourself.

I don't know which is worse, girls feeling pressured to change because they feel a need to impress boys, or boys who assume that every time a girl aims to change her appearance, it's solely for their pleasure.

She's not necessarily losing weight to impress you. She's not growing her hair out and learning to put makeup and dress well for you. Don't say 'I think you're beautiful, you don't have to change for me' every time she complains about her appearance and THEN appear all baffled at the notion that she may be changing to meet her OWN expectations, not yours.

I mean, it's still a sweet thing to say, of course. :) I know you want to make us feel better about ourselves, but I just felt slightly bemused when my friend was complaining that she was getting chubby and her boyfriend went, "Well, I think you're perfectly fine, you don't have to change!"

It's an innocent comment and all, but she was like "but I think I'M getting fat" and looked at him like 'dude, what's it got to do with YOU?'

I chuckled and told him that contrary to popular belief, we don't live to please the male persuasion. He just looked utterly confused and sat there trying to digest this new fact.

Thank you guys for all the positive comments. Maybe not only guys, but friends and family too.

It's true, we do have this image in our head that we'd like to achieve. And no, it's not always ridiculously unachievable. I'm skinny and I'm not expecting to grow DD boobs overnight (not that I'd want to, that's HUGE. For me, anyway.) Girls can have single eyelids and NOT be praying to miraculously wake up with perfect double lids the next morning.

We set certain goals, and we try to reach them. We don't wish to be Angelina Jolie or Adriana Lima, but what's the harm in a girl taping her eyelids, or putting on makeup, or trying to put on/lose some weight if it makes her feel better about herself?

Most importantly, people must feel good about themselves. Having a healthy goal is always good. It's something to motivate us through daily life and the feeling of accomplishment when we succeed is always a sweet reward.

It's not about what YOU think is good enough for the person in question - it's the standard that THEY set for themselves that truly matters.

That said, be realistic, but don't be afraid to dream. This does not only apply to appearances, but also to careers, relationships and other things. Having a goal in life will keep you moving and give you something to live for when all else fails.

^___^ What am I ranting about? That's too dramatic. Life is perfect if there's nothing unachievable that you so foolishly desire.

Good night.