By Amyra Akhtar
CHAPTER 1-WHO AM I?
Who am I? It’s a simple question, really. What do I like? What is MY favourite thing?
Knowing you is like a brick to build the wall of loving yourself. You need to boost yourself. Instead of thinking- Why do I fail? Why can’t I get better?- Think,- There is still scope for improvement if I try.-
It is harder to think that you suck and you are a failure, and easier and more energising to think that you are perfect, but there is still room to try. Easy advice- Quit Social Media. That’s it. Don’t waste your time looking at endless pictures of other people’s achievements and fun times. Instead, pack a bag, go out on a bike ride, meet a friend, read a book- Don’t pressurise yourself with other people and their ‘Awesome’ life. Because everyone knows that behind those fake smiles and holidays and laughing emojis are just layers and layers of someone wanting to be perfect and seek validation- A.K.A happiness when they see amazingness- disguised as emojis and comments and likes and followers.
Learn from small things. Social media for you should be a piece of garbage. Throw it away like a bad habit. Why stay glued to that little thing, waiting until you get a million followers or 100 likes and comments? Seriously. Just turn it off, keep it locked in a small bag or your pocket, and do something better. Don’t waste your time. You will only truly love yourself when you stop looking at others.
CHAPTER 2-SELF-ESTEEM
I love myself!
Say that whenever someone puts you down. You DO love yourself. I love my hair. I love my eyes. I love my traits. I love my appearance. I love every mistake I make. I look beautiful. I am kind. I am perfect. Say that kind of stuff to yourself. Don’t give an arm about what people say. You’re perfect. Think about your positive traits. Love every flaw and mistake you make. If a friend or classmate says something like- ‘Geez, you’re so stupid,’ or ‘Seriously? That’s a wrong spelling- you should know your vocabulary!-‘ Kind of comment, just shrug it off, smile, and say-‘Yeah, so? Everyone makes mistakes!’ Or ‘I love my imperfections. My mistakes are my learnings,’ Like that, instead of shouting and walking off, making the person feel satisfied.
Yes, everyone makes mistakes. Learn to embrace your flaws instead of pushing them away. Don’t let someone pull you down. Push back and fight. Your mistakes are YOU. Pull them closer and feel proud of them. Love yourself. Instead of saying to a person- ‘OMG, I’m such an idiot! I’m SO sorry! Why’m I so stupid?’ And making them think- She’s so dumb! Ha! Abusing herself!- Just say- ‘Oops! Sorry! I’ll do it better next time!’
Learn to love yourself in every way! Just keep yourself high and mighty- You’ll be fine!
CHAPTER 3-FINDING THE DROP IN THE OCEAN
Notice the leaves on the trees. A splotch of paint. A brick in a wall. A wooden chip. Observe the small things. Not just materialistic ones, but in yourself. Stuff like- What makes me happy? The stars look lovely. I think I’ll go for a walk tomorrow. My eyes look so sparkly!- Instead of things like- Do they like me? What lipstick to wear? She is so rich! I’m getting so fat!- It totally ruins your mood and stresses you out.
We all are different in each way. Find the good things about YOU! And if you have goals, try to look at the good angle of it. Same with thoughts, obviously. You should find the small things in life, happy ones, though. If you focus and strive to be better, maybe a mistake could be a strength! Notice yourself and think about a few good qualities. Your small hopes can become a big success. Know who you are and delve deeper into meeting yourself. We all have spent decades and decades trying to know about others, meeting new people-
-But why did we forget ourselves?
CHAPTER 4-BULLYING
Yeah, the crucial part of exactly WHY I needed to write this book in the first place. Here you go guys, my ‘inspiration’ for writing the book!!
We all deal with bullying at some point in our lives. Don’t let it get you down. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in my life, it’s that bullies are insecure themselves because at home, they may not be the centre of attention, so there try to make others lives miserable. I.G.N.O.R.E. That’s IT. Ignore them! If they say you’re ugly, for instance, it doesn’t make you ugly.
If they say you have flying powers, doesn’t mean you ACTUALLY do!! Just walk away. LET them taunt you. But if it is serious, like abuse or physical damage, make sure to tell a trusted parent, adult, or teacher.
Know that- don’t let them BRING YOU DOWN. Really! You are perfect. Who are they to judge you? Look at them stone-faced and say- ‘I’m good. Do you have a problem with me? I’m not in the mood for this,’ Kind of a thing, and walk off. Don’t cry or shout or pick a fight. They will feel great that they made you sad. Just tell them to back off- (Not in an angry tone, just a neutral tone,) And walk away! Easy!
Remember- Love yourself! Don’t let the bully bring you down. You are perfect as it is!
CHAPTER 5- SPARKLES AND SELF-DOUBT
We all want to look great and gorgeous, but behind that shaky confidence is a web of self-doubt. Stuff like- ‘Do I look good enough?’ Or ‘No way, they’ll look better!!’ Will keep popping up in your head. Instead of pushing it away, try to cling onto it and reflect. What should I do to make it better? How do I be more confident? Should be the questions in your head. Just know that you are good enough. If people give uneasy glances, or stare at you, just grin. Instead of thinking you are weird, think that you are the centre of attention.
Also, try to be decisive! The more long you take, the more you will feel that what you DO have sucks. Don’t think too much! If people stare, just shrug it off. You are amazing! AND the centre of attention. The other people stare at you because THEY are thinking that what YOU think about them. They WANT you to notice! So you are actually pretty lucky!
Anyway, please use this advice later on in life! Hope you enjoyed the book!
-AMYRA AKHTAR