You’ve heard people say that they have a “good side” when taking pictures or posing for something. This is not my good side. At least, that’s what I’ve always said because I prefer my left. As you can see, my right-side is the one effected by vitiligo and to my eyes, I’ve always seen a big difference when looking at my face in the mirror.

It’s kinda crazy when writing about this because it really hits you just how much you criticize and judge yourself… but nonetheless, everyone sees things about themselves that other people never even notice. So here I am, exposing myself a little more and stepping out of my comfort zone with this picture of myself with no make-up photographed on my “bad side.”

You know, one of the main reasons why I do it is because I want to overcome that initial fear that comes up when I look at the picture and say, “I’m going to post this.” Literally the first thing that comes to mind is, “what will people think? Will they say she’s prettier with make-up on? Will their first thought be “Oh. She looks so different.” It may seem ludicrous because maybe the majority of people will be like “seriously?! I don’t see any difference, she’s beautiful, what is she talking about?!”

But that’s the reality of fear and what it can do to you. That’s what happens when you’re trying to break a habit of constantly thinking of yourself one way or choosing to step out of your safe place and willingly show a piece of your vulnerability. Posting this type of stuff isn’t easy for me, even if other people think it should be, even if they don’t see what I see.

I have a funny side. I have a soft and sympathetic side. I have a serious side, and a seriously romantic side. I have lots of sides; it’s the main course I haven’t quite figured out.

Richelle E. Goodrich

But I want to because not only am I trying to be as authentic as possible but I’m on a constant journey of self-love. I love myself more than I ever have right now, but there’s still so much to be learned and that’s ok. I don’t think there’s ever a time where you stop learning how to care for yourself. It’s an ongoing journey that only makes you a better version of yourself the more you keep walking.

At the end of the day, you wanna know what my REAL good side is? My sensitivity to other people’s suffering. My wanting to inspire the people around me. My time that’s given to those who need someone to vent out to. My heart and all the love it has to give.

It’s an ongoing journey that only makes you a better version of yourself the more you keep walking.

Your good side are all the things that make you loveable, that inspire others and help you go up against the battles you have to face. Your good side doesn’t mean the things that make you “perfect.” It means the essence of who you are. Superficiality doesn’t even make it into that category. Character, personality, and heart does.