I'm ridiculously insecure about my looks?

Question

I've always felt so self-conscious about the way I look - the high school I go to has girls that essentially look like barbie dolls walking down the halls.
Yes, I'm smart and all that fun stuff, I know I'll go on to lead a more successful life than some of these girls; but I can't help feeling ridiculously ugly.
My mom always tells me that I'm a pretty girl, but that's only by myself - when you stick me next to someone else, I'm mortified by my looks. It's gotten to the point that when someone more "attractive", per se, talks to me; I can hardly make eye contact with them, unless I know them well.
Is this normal to feel so insufficient about my looks? I'm tall, skinny, all the stuff most of the "pretty" girls would want to be, yet I feel as though my face is an incredible hindrance to everything else I have.

Psychologically, will this screw me up? Or am I just imagining things?

Answer 1

I wouldn't feel bad for a few reasons. 1. Your looks are just handed to you at birth. Sure you can maybe dress nice or where make-up to look a little better at times. In order to have great T'n'A, you must have good DNA. Sometimes in life you have to play the cards you were dealt. And since you can't change it, there is no point in worrying about what is beyond your control. Just remember to breath and that stressing out about it won't make you better looking. 2. If you are skinny, I doubt you have that much to worry about. Unless you have some seriously messed up teeth (which can be fixed) you should be fine. Being fat is much worse. There is a saying guys have: "You can feel fat but you can't feel ugly." 3. You are just in high school. A lot of girls develop later on. I remember in middle school one of my friends brothers told us to be nice to ever girl, because a lot of the ugly ones turn out to smokin' hot. I have found this to be very true. 4. Just remember that the images you see of perfect super models are an illusion to make you feel like sh*t so you will buy some cream to put on your face. Those people have trainers, great genetics, and the help of photoshop. 5. Probably the best reason not to worry is that if you aren't that attractive now, it means you won't have everything handed to you and won't turn out to be a total b*tch.

But if you still feel bad, you might have depression, so don't be afraid to talk to your doctor or a friend about it.

Answer 2

You're completely normal.

Think about what you see on television every day. You see perfect models in advertisements, television shows, on the internet. No matter where you go. You are constantly being told that you must be exactly like them, and you know what? It's impossible to measure up.

I often feel the same way as you (except I like my face and hate my body). I have a wonderful boyfriend who is very attracted to me and I know I'm not ugly. But I know I'm no supermodel either. It comes and goes for me, and there have been days where I have absolutely hated myself.

Chances are, though, there's nothing wrong with either of us and there are plenty of guys out there who would think we are the cat's meow if we met them. But it's hard to tell yourself that when you see Miss-Twiggy-Perkyboobs-Tanned-Blonde-Giggly-Blueeyed-Perfectbutt every single freakin' day.

The only thing that really, truly helped me was when I started kickboxing. The physical activity made me less focused on my looks and more focused on my health. It helped my self-esteem a lot.

If you are worried about your facial features, then wear a little make-up. Miss Twiggy-Perfectbutt is probably wearing so much make-up that you would think she's the Wicked Witch of the West if you saw her without it. Studies have shown that people are universally more attracted to women wearing make-up.

Answer 3

The majority of girls feel insecure about their looks. I bet most of the "barbie" girls you look at have hangups and insecurities too.
Walking and acting confident add to a persons attractiveness. Some of those "barbie" girls probably have you convinced they have it all... but inside they are probably envious of some of the qualities you have.
We all have to make the best of what we have. I'm sure if you just learn to highlight the features which are good and downplay the features which are bad you will be fine.
Hate to say it, but it's true, there are so many people out there with disfigurements, deformities, burns, scars etc that would love to be you... but most of these people live happy lives and show beauty from within.

Answer 4

Don't let it change who you are, because if you do then your really screwed. I have absolutely no idea how pretty or ugly I am cause everyone gives me different answers. I've gone from 'knock down drag out beautiful' to 'that chick is ugly'. So naturally I just listen to the worst ones and assume they're right. You're lucky, cause I'm not smart. I won't be more succesful then those barbie girls. That kills me.
Hold your head up and screw them.

Answer 5

Are you ugly? Probably not. Do you have self esteem issues? yes. You will get over it when you get a little older and truly don't care about what other people think.
Most of the so called pretty girls are going to grow up, get married to people they hate, argue every day of their life and get fat. They will never truly achieve anything in life, but hey, at least high school was easy for them. You will be ok.

Answer 6

no you're fine, i used to feel that way when i was in high school too, but i started building my confindence and soon i felt better about myself and started to feel less insecure. I suggest getting involved in clubs, sports, cheerleading, or drill team to help build your confidence level. I was really insecure before then i joined the drill team and i was pretty much forced to let go and just dance in front of large crowds and football games. I started to like it and I felt better. I hope this helps.

Answer 7

Don't keep junk food as part of your kitchen. If it's not generally there, you can't be tempted by it.

Answer 8

Aim for a 300- in order to 400-calorie meal.

Answer 9

No worries mate - looks don't last - ya heart and soul will see you through!

Answer 10

Make pancakes even healthier by adding mashed baked sweet potato, some pureed spinach and blueberries, or maybe cooked quinoa.