Samuella

For a long time, I was bound by what people said about me (behind my back and to my face). I have been picked on numerous times about my complexion and my features.

Whatever derogatory name you can think of, chances are I have been called that including some you may not think about. This was before the “black is beautiful” movement and body positivity messages sweeping the world in the last few years.

As a result, it facilitated my intense discomfort with taking pictures because I obsessed about whatever I thought was my imperfection. However, I decided early on that feeling sorry for myself didn’t do me any good so I made it a habit to tell myself I was beautiful even when I didn’t believe it. It was a turning point for me. 

I believe there is no such thing as a standard of beauty. This is a term society has coined to keep many of us searching for a forever-elusive perfection. Beauty is as diverse as the humans on the earth and it is a sum total of both our physical features and personalities, different as they are.