The World Is More Beautiful With You In It, An Open Letter

We’re doing things a little differently today.  Many of us are still feeling the residual yuckiness leftover from 2016 that hasn’t quite gone away yet.  Though I’m not sure what 2017 has in store for you (hopefully new experiences and opportunities, moments filled with joy and happiness, and lots of positivity and success), I do know that it will be gone before you know it.  Just like in previous years, there is always a new day, a new month, and a new year that promises to be better than the last.

I firmly believe that 2017 is the Year of the Woman.  You might be thinking, ‘Isn’t every year the year of the woman?’  Yes, but 2017 feels different.  2017 finally feels like our year.  The year we find the beauty in our imperfections, embrace our bodies, and find happiness within ourselves.  The year we make it known that we’ve re-defined the so-called ‘beauty standards’ that we are unwillingly measured up against.  We, not society or the media, get to determine who were are, how we dress, and what we weigh, think, and feel.  It goes without saying, but I’ll say it again for those who need a reminder of our power: As women we’re strong on our own, but together we’re unstoppable.  Below, our open letter to all women.

Below, the full letter.

Dear Beautiful Reader,

I hope this is the year you finally put yourself first. The year you find happiness within and share your joy with the world. The year you embrace your loud laugh, your freckles, your height, and your crooked smile. I hope this is the year you fall in love (or become more connected with your partner than ever before) and wear pretty lingerie just because. Most importantly, I hope you realize your significance in this world. You are a beautiful, radiant, one-a-kind enigma. You’re a force to be reckoned with, though you might not realize yet. You’re flawed, but so is everyone else. Your beauty lies deep within the cracks of your perfect imperfections, the scars and the stretch marks and the quirky facets of your personality that you hide from the world. Though your journey to self-love might be winding, know that there are people who will love you when you struggle to love yourself.

I hope 2017 is your year of embracing your body and finding happiness in all of the incredible things it allows you to do. You can hold your children close to your heart, walk and run and dance with reckless abandon, and lift others up when they are down. Your scars, cellulite, and stretch marks color the lines within your story. They’re little celebrations of your life- reminders of bearing a child, defeating insecurities, growing another year older. You might not love your body today, but you owe it to yourself to not let your worries hold you back from living your best life. We’re all with you on the same never-ending journey of self-love. 

I hope this is the year you invest in yourself. The year you go back to school, find a job that makes you happy to wake up in the morning, shop for new clothes that make you feel special, buy the home you’ve been saving up for, and take care of your health and your body. Big things are happening behind the scenes to make your dreams possible. This is your year, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. This is the year you inspire others and become the role model and leader that you were meant to be.

Without a doubt, the world is more beautiful with you in it.