Hello classmates, my name is Megan M. Ramdin. My major is Science of Health Professions, I very excited at ending my journey at BMCC Friday, super excited. I just need this writing-intensive class to complete my degree. I work as a pharmaceutical Technician; I love helping people especially in this pandemic. I’m really excited to be a part of this class not only because I love to voice my opinion on certain discussions but also listening to feedback from others. We are all so different and all want different things and that’s what makes us special. Being different and weird is awesome cause who wants to be boring.
Before I get into storytime with myself, the videos that Professor Waychoff posted for us to watch of previous students and their journey was absolutely beautiful. Watching these students proudly share their stories with others is empowering. I think can relate to “Eczema”. I don’t have the skin condition, but I always struggled with self-confidence. I used to have major acne in high school due to swimming. The chlorine made my skin so dry and itchy and every day a new critter would appear on my face. I tried to change my physical education class from swimming to volleyball, but they didn’t let me. Every morning I would try to apply makeup to cover the spots and pimples, so I can feel good about myself. When it was time to swim, I would always tell myself, “it’s all going to wipe off and I’ll look hideous again”. Whenever the period was over, I would rush to the locker room to reapply for my next class. I hated that I had to create this image of me just so I could feel good about my appearance. When I would get home from school, I would run to the bathroom to wash all the makeup off and stare at myself with a natural face in the mirror. I would question myself “why can’t I be beautiful?” or “why can’t I look like other girls on my social media with beautiful skin?”. I scroll through my social media admiring these girls with their beauty and imagined why can’t I be beautiful like them. My self-esteem was extremely low, I don’t even think I had one ounce of hope I was beautiful. I would tell my best friend “why can I be pretty like you? You have no acne, beautiful skin. You look beautiful with or without makeup”. She then responded “Megan, you think a few pimples make you ugly? If you think so, they don’t. The thoughts you’re carrying about yourself are ugly because you are beautiful. Beauty doesn’t always lie between the outward core of attractiveness but qualities that lay within us”. When she told me that I started to realize that I have so many negative thoughts about my appearance, but I never counted the positive energy I portray for others. Not one person had ever told me I was ugly to my face, maybe they thought it but never announced it. I always thought I was ugly because I never accepted the fact, I am beautiful within. And until I didn’t except the fact, I am I would always have a negative thought about my appearance. As of today, I do struggle with some insecurities, but I don’t let it get to me. I don’t wake up every day to please anyone but myself, so no one opinion should matter on what they have to say. I learned to overcome my negative thoughts and replace them with positive uprising one. Were all beautiful in our own ways.
Is not it interesting Megan just because we are girl we go through similar thought or it’s a human nature ? You know what you inspire me just with the ending of your story, for self realization and valuing yourself. Just before yours, I read the story from another friend of our class, similar stories insecurities because of physical appearance. I had one too, I used to think I was ugliest among my sibling in a physical appearance which I guess I am, because thats how we define the beauty, physically attraction is all matters. But once we broaden our thinking and not limit ourself on being who we are and letting other people decide our beauty then we can finally get rid of the insecurities that we develop on ourself and can develop self love. Thank you for a inspiring story.
Thank you for sharing Megan! I really appreciate your message! I, myself have struggled with acne for a while now and it is not fun at all. I feel like acne/dark spots have prevented me from being comfortable with myself. I don’t even like taking photos anymore, I’m usually the photographer. The video where the student spoke about her Ezcema resonated with me as well. I really loved how she was able to gain her confidence with the support and her friends and loved ones.
Hi Megan, first congrats on almost being done with this school! I know it was stressful and probably still is but you can do it. Acne is such a normal thing for teenagers but I do understand were the insecurity might come from. But your bestfriend is right you’re beautiful. Acne doesn’t define who you are.
Hey Megan! Thank you for sharing your story. It has helped me a lot, I have a little sister (11 years old) with a very bad skin condition. Her Eczema randomly worsens in all parts of her body. I have not noticed her covering up her body but this is very helpful, specially since she is about to become a teenager. I will definitively be more attentive to her.
“Being different and weird is awesome cause who wants to be boring.” Yes! I couldn’t agree more. I don’t know my twelve-year-old self would agree, but I am so thankful that part of me wasn’t squashed.