Don't be beautiful.

Since turning 25 in April, I have reflected back on my life and the things I wish I could have known when I was a teen.

If I could go back and give my 16 year old self some advice, it would be to worry less.

Worry less about how big your nose is because you are probably the only one that thinks it is that big.

Worry less about how much you weigh. You are already small for your age, if anything, you need to bulk up!

Worry less about boys. You are 16, boys are a waste of time right now. Focus on you.

Worry less about being beautiful. 

Worry less about pleasing others. Being a pushover will get you nowhere and will crush your future confidence in the abilities and talents you have.

Be funny, be kind, be caring, be generous, be adventurous, be positive, be present!

If you could go back and give your 16 year old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Don't be beautiful.

They keep saying that beautiful is something a girl needs to be.

But honestly? Forget that. Don't be beautiful.

Be angry, be intelligent, be witty, be klutzy, be interesting,

be funny, be adventurous, be crazy, be talented -

there are an eternity of other things

to be other than beautiful.

And what is beautiful anyway

but a set of letters strung together to make a word?

Be your own definition of amazing, always.

That is so much more important than anything beautiful, ever.

- Nikita Gill -

Photo taken by Mark Buckle.