How I overcame my body dysmorphia

For as long as I can remember there was always something about my outer appearance which I greatly disliked. It started out with me not knowing how to deal with my curly hair. Each morning before I went to school, I brushed it, which is about the biggest mistake anyone with curly hair can make. I literally looked like Hagrid from Harry Potter. While I do love Harry Potter and think that Hagrid is one of the kindest characters within the narrative, I did not aspire to look like him.

It did not help other kids were calling me a witch because of my frizzy, untamable hair. Being called names made me uncomfortable and I started wondering why I was not given silky hair that was shiny and soft, and most importantly easy to handle, just like all the other girls in my school.

Having straight hair appeared to be the norm and the norm is usually what is being associated with beauty. Back then I probably would have sold one of my kidneys to be seen as pretty. However, buying a hair straightener seemed to be a more viable option.

I remember sitting around with friends and listening to music while my best friend spent 1–2hours straightening my hair and doing my makeup. After she had done her magic, everyone looked at me with disbelief in their eyes. “You look soooooo different.”

I took a close look at myself in the mirror.

“Ohhhh, you are so pretty now. The boys are going to think that, too.”