A Lesson in Self-Acceptance
By: Mary Reynalyn Goyeneche
The grainy video flickered on my phone screen. I looked awkward, wearing clothes that
didn’t fit, trying to copy a TikTok dance. My aunt’s laughter echoed in my head; a sound
now filled with bitter embarrassment. My red t-shirt and pajama pants, once my cool,
rebellious outfit, now screamed “cringe.” The music, once catchy, now sounded awful,
like nails on a chalkboard. This wasn’t just any video, it was a painful memory of my
most embarrassing moment.
My aunt, bless her heart, thought it was funny. She shared it with family and friends, and
soon, the video was all over Facebook. My face burned. The comments were a mix of
laughing emojis and mean jokes like, “Cringe, May!” Each notification felt like a sharp
little sting. I wanted the earth to swallow me whole. I wished I could erase the video,
make it disappear, and pretend it never happened. The feeling of being exposed was
awful. It felt like everyone was laughing at me.
The words my aunt said still hurt: “Your dance was so weird! And that outfit…” I thought
I looked cool, but to her, and clearly many others, I looked ridiculous. Shame felt like a
heavy coat I couldn’t take off. I felt so small and alone. I avoided my phone, scared of
seeing more mean comments. My friends, usually so kind, seemed to be avoiding me.
Even school felt different; I felt like everyone was watching me, whispering about me. It
was a really tough time; I lost my appetite, and sleep became difficult. I felt like I couldn’t
escape the feeling of shame.
But time, as it often does, helped me see things differently. The shock and
embarrassment slowly faded. I began to see the humor in my clumsy dance moves and
my strange outfit choices. Everyone makes mistakes; everyone has moments they wish
they could forget. It’s part of growing up, part of learning.
Now, as a Grade 12 student, I can look back and laugh. The video is a reminder of how
much I’ve changed, how much I’ve grown. It’s not just a cringe-worthy memory; it’s a
lesson in self-acceptance. It taught me about being careful online and the importance of
accepting my flaws. The awkward girl in that video is still a part of me, but she’s not the
whole story anymore. She’s a step on my journey to loving myself, a reminder that even
the most embarrassing moments can become funny stories and help you learn and
grow.
I learned a lot from that experience. I learned to be more careful about what I share
online and who I share it with. I learned the importance of protecting my online privacy. I
think twice before posting anything now, and I’m much more confident. It taught me to
be kinder to myself and to not let other people’s opinions define me. I’m grateful for this
lesson. It wasn’t easy, but it helped me grow in ways I never expected. The awkward girl
in that video helped me become the confident young woman I am today. And that’s a
lesson worth remembering.