Dear You,

Yes, you. It’s me. How have you been? Is everything in school alright? I hope you are doing well and everything is going OK.

I know you have a busy schedule, so I would like to start this letter off by thanking you for taking this time and reading and I hope you really consider what I have to say.

So, without further ado, I would just like to ask, why? We’ve been together since we were born, all those years ago. I remember the happy times that we spent. We’d go running in the yard, and I’d get a little banged up here and there, but there was nothing a Spongebob Band-Aid and magic kiss couldn’t cure, right?

We were so happy, and life was simple. But, as we grew and changed, You’ve become someone I never knew before.

Before, we were carefree, and you didn’t mind what I looked like. After puberty, you worry about how many calories you put in me and get mad that I don’t gain muscles quickly enough. 

I see you looking and comparing me to those people in the magazines you read and television shows you watch. You curse me because of the way I am, the way I look. You do these crazy diet plans and work me to the point of exhaustion. When you are still unsatisfied with how I look, you turn to different methods — less natural methods.

The bottle says you should only take four a day; you and I take six. The average person eats three meals a day, you and I one or two, sometimes nothing. The things you are doing are hurting both of us. I know you feel the same pain that I do. I know you know what you are doing to us is wrong.

So why? Why do you do this to us? Was it something I did? What did I do wrong that makes you abuse me so? I just want to know, so we can work together.

I would like to take the first step and say I’m sorry. Sorry I didn’t grow like you wanted me to. Sorry I’m not picture perfect. I’m sorry that I hurt you.

I can try my best and work with you, not against you. I will treat you right, but only if you can learn to treat me right. Change takes time and energy, so please be patient with me as I try to become what you dream of me to be.

We are in this together, but it won’t go anywhere if you refuse to work with me. Realize that all these things you do to me and force me to do are confusing. I don’t know what to do, and that makes you upset. I never wanted us to be like this, but I sincerely hope that we can come to an understanding and become what makes you the most happy and healthy you can be.

I know this won’t mean much coming from me, but I think that we are perfect the way we are. I know the people out there will have something to say, but nobody can please everybody. So let’s make us happy before worrying about what other people want us to be. 

Sincerely, 

Your body