This is me! All my stretch marks, cellulite, bumps and all. The only editing I did to this photo was adjust the lighting. One of the reasons I don't edit myself in my pictures is because it's so easy to just go crazy and suddenly before I know it- the person in the picture isn't me anymore. Having the capability to edit every little inch of my body makes me more conscientious. Makes me more aware. I just can't do it to myself. I've spent YEARS learning to accept this body I have and appreciate it for the things it allows me to do.
Am I perfect? Nope. And that's ok. I don't need to be perfect! One of the things that I've done to really help building my confidence in my own skin is by stopping using filters. I am the QUEEN of selfies but I won't use filters anymore. They change your perspective of what you think you SHOULD look like. They make you believe that by changing this or changing that you will be beautiful. Because here's the truth, you are beautiful just the way you are- but the world doesn't want you to know that. The world wants you to buy ALL the products, get all the treatments, wore these clothes, lost weight, gained muscle, etc., The world is literally out to tear you down - it doesn't want you to see yourself as perfect.
You are worth so much more than just how you look to others. Your value does not come from showing off your sexy pictures. These pictures of me aren't perfect, they are beautiful though. Does it bother me that my lipstick may be smudged in some - yes. But does it detract from the beauty of these? Hell no!
It's so important that you know that it is OK to just be you, flaws and all. It's ok to have cellulite, to have bumps and pimples, to have your makeup messed up. I challenge you to stop using filters on your selfies... I want to encourage you to see yourself just the way you are and LOVE yourself anyways.