Vex King

Don’t let socially constructed
ideas about beauty lower your
self-esteem. There are no rules to
beauty. Accept and love yourself as
you are. Embrace your flaws and get
comfortable in your own skin. Wear
your imperfections like they don’t
need a season to be fashionable.

The size of your jeans doesn’t define you.
The colour and shade of your skin doesn’t define you.
That number on the scales doesn’t define you.
Those marks on your face don’t define you.
Those expectations don’t define you.
Those opinions don’t define you.

Wear your ‘imperfections’ proudly, because they make you unique. Never stop appreciating your own beauty.

Looking to others for inspiration
is fine, but there’s a difference
between inspiration and envy.

Comparing our lives with others’ that we see online is a waste of energy. People only share photos in which they look attractive, happy and successful; not when they’re tired, scared and lonely

I’ve come across people who are completely different on social media from who they are in real life. The truth is distorted with filters and inspirational captions to make everything seem better than it is. We all know this, but it’s easy to forget

Have you considered that you might be comparing your life with those of people who use social media to fill a void in themselves because they’ve forgotten how to practise self-love?

This isn’t about what other people are doing or sharing online. It’s not about what they’re up to in life or how far they’ve gone. It’s about you. Your competition is you. Outdoing yourself is your daily task, and that’s where your comparison should be directed: on the person you were yesterday. If you want to be the greatest version of yourself, you have to keep the focus on your own life and goals.

Competing with others encourages
bitterness, not betterment

No two single journeys are the same. You’re on your own path. We all move through life at our own pace and reach different stages at different times. Someone else might already be at the most interesting part of their show while you’re still making preparations behind the scenes for yours. This doesn’t mean that you won’t get your opportunity to get on stage and shine.