Insecurities

I’ve never been a person who would talk about all the political problems going on in her country. Of course, the reasons are obvious: a) I don’t really find political talk interesting and b) I don’t find them interesting because I don’t have a clue as to what our politics are like.

(I have no shame in saying this, because I’d prefer being honest about my lack of political knowledge than pretending that I’ve learned the country’s constitution book by-heart)

But even though I don’t know much about political leaders, I know that they have a lot of insecurities. Inner demons churning within them, whispering harsh words like, “What if you’re not in power anymore? What if you’re not richer than XYZ politician from the opposing political part? What if –?

I’m not going to analyse a politician’s mind because I’ve never been one.

(And I don’t intend to be one if it’s still going to be a cesspool twenty years from now)

Instead, I’d try to decode a teenager’s mind because hello, I am one and I’ve been riddled with a lot of insecurities myself.

Some famous person whose name I do not know, had once quoted, “Teenagers are the most insecure creatures on earth.”

I’d like to say this:

How. Freaking. True.

We teenagers have SO MANY insecurities. We’re insecure about our weights, we’re insecure about our faces and we’re insecure about the peer pressure thrust upon us. We’re scared about the expectations our parents have pinned on us, we’re scared about not doing well in our tests and we’re scared about being left astray while our classmates are just enjoying themselves to the fullest.

To make this article more relatable, let me just list out a few of my own insecurities – I’ve always been highly insecure about being left alone, left astray. And my fear isn’t irrational. It pretty much stems from deeper incidents which have kind of scarred me mentally.

There have been old school trips and family gatherings where I felt like I really didn’t fit in. I felt like this odd piece of a puzzle that was forcefully placed in the wrong puzzle-set. I remember feeling so achingly bad about existing and I remember trying to list out every single point that was wrong with me.

I hope I’m over that phase now. Because isolation is not a kind of insecurity which I would wish on anyone, including my worst enemies.

A lot of our insecurities are rooted from various incidents in our childhood. Be it comparison with your so-called perfect cousins or people bullying you.

Bullying.

I, for one, don’t think that bullying is just big, mean-eyed kids using you as their punch-bags. Bullies are everywhere. They can be anyone. Hell, a bully could be someone you love.

Now, listen to me carefully. After you’re done reading this post, look at yourself in the mirror. Don’t start picking out your flaws, like, “My nostrils are ginormous,” or “I’m so fat! Why am I unable to lose weight?”

Start admiring yourself. I’m not talking about narcissism by flattering yourself. Genuinely try to appreciate yourself because you’re beautiful.

You may not have the perfect set of pearly whites or you cannot see your pronouncing collarbones. But you know what? You’re beautiful.

You’re beautiful because you’re going strong despite your disheartening insecurities. You’re beautiful because you’re so awesome in so many ways. Don’t try to deny it, but you know that you’re good at something worthwhile. You’re beautiful the way you are and there are a LOT of people who can’t think of a day without your presence.

You’re beautiful because you’re you. And no one can be better at being you except you. If people try to change you, try to force you, try to mock you for being you, then they’re the most worthless pieces of crap out there and they do not deserve to be with such a special person like you.

I know you’re smiling now. :)

Much love,

Archie.