I don’t know where to start, but let’s go back to when I was a kid, I have a skin disease called Pityriasis Alba -I think- it’s small white patches on my arms and legs. As a child, I didn’t care about it, I didn’t even notice it until one day, when I was 6 years old one of the girls made fun of it and start laughing at it, that moment was the first time I realize that there was something wrong with my skin, so the journey of self-rejection began. 

Growing up, I was afraid that someone would see my skin and make fun of it, again. So, I decided to cover it and not show it to anyone -but my family. I started wearing only long sleeve tops on every occasion and I hated that so much, I was a teenager who had something for fashion yet I couldn’t wear a normal dress, it had to be a long one with long sleeves. I deprived myself of going to so many places just because I was sick of wearing the stupid long sleeve.

I tried every possible way to heal my skin, but science and doctors didn’t help, so I started to read more about the law of attraction and the power of the subconscious mind, and I started searching and reading more and more about conscious awareness. When girls my age were living their lives doing all the normal things people do in their 20s, I was home studying the awareness field –now I know I’m only here because of my skin, otherwise, I would’ve been a normal girl who has no clue how to love herself.

I didn’t talk about this to anyone, not even my closest friends, until one day in 2019, I was in a situation where I had to talk about my skin to my friend, and I was sure that I’m gonna hear something that will hurt, but instead, the only words he said was: IT’S NOTHING. I was shocked! “really?” I started asking myself so many questions until I reach the point where I realized for the first time that it is nothing! I can’t explain how these two words have shifted every belief I had about myself, but he was right, it is nothing, it doesn’t matter if my skin is perfect or not! from these two words I started the journey of accepting and loving myself. Doors kept opening for me, one after the other, until I got to the point where I thank my skin for not being perfect because if it wasn’t for the imperfections I wouldn’t be here today in this amazing love journey.

After I started my journey, I found Karen Wazen, this amazing woman who had a huge part in my journey, she has vitiligo and she always talks and inspires us to accept and love ourselves the way we are, a couple of months later a friend of mine told me about Dr. Ehab Hamarneh, he too has been a huge part of my self-love journey, he’s someone that knows what he’s talking about, I watched and still watch every video he uploads on his YouTube channel. I wish one day I will be able to thank them both in person.

I was on this journey for more than three years, and before that, I believed I didn’t need anyone to help me change, I thought I only needed myself, but if it wasn’t for my friend, I wouldn’t be here today, sometimes you don’t need anyone to change, sometimes you do need some people just to push you a little, and from there you will start your journey on your own.

Day by day, my self-love has grown more and more. I’m so glad I took the first step. It’s so amazing how the only reason that made me hate my skin is the first reason that pushed me to start my self-love journey!

It took me a lot of courage to share my story, and I’m only sharing it because I want you to know that I’ve been there, I know what I’m talking about, and I know what you may be going through, but loving yourself is a game changer, I can’t explain how loving myself has changed the way I look and treat myself and others. I encourage you to take your first step and see the results yourself. You were made this way for a reason, love and accept yourself exactly as you are, what other people say has nothing to do with you, and you don’t need to live up to their standards.

Because I know how it’s important to love and accept yourself, I made 40 self-love and self-acceptance cards, I gathered the most inspiring and helpful quotes to remind you everyday of your uniqueness and worthiness.

Accept and love yourself and let the magic of this journey change your life for good! I can’t tell you how or where to start, but what I can say is to set an intention and open your heart to some changes. I hope my journey will inspire you to start yours.

My Love,
Walaa