Last week, when I posted my first vlog, I received this anonymous comment:
When I first saw it, I was shocked. I quickly logged into my account and sent it to the trash. I’d like to say that I brushed it off and it didn’t affect me. But I promptly left work, drove to chick-fil-a and inhaled their waffle fries to make me feel better. So I *may* have been a little upset even though I didn’t know who this person was. That’s the world wide web for you. Sometimes the internet itself can be ugly.
I’ve had some time to think about the word ugly. It prompted me to search my blog for photos of me. To find out what exactly it was about me that might be ugly. What did they see that I don’t. But I noticed, there are very few photos of me. I constantly read other blogs with women proudly showing off their beautiful faces.
Some are wearing glasses. Some are sporting a messy bun. Some are tall and some are short. Some are smiling and some are staring off into space. Some are a reflection in the mirror. Some are round with a growing life inside of them. And some are round because that’s who they are and they aren’t ashamed of showing it off. I love these women. The ones dripping in bravery. The ones embracing their differences and loving themselves.
It took the word ugly being thrown my way for me to realize that I’m not exactly owning what I look like or who I am.
Well, this is who I am.
I’m Molly
I’m 5′ 4″
I wear glasses most the time
I have light blonde, naturally wavy hair that is often frizzy
I have a mushy tummy because I ate too many donuts while housing two beautiful miracles in my womb
My nose has a bump on it, a trademark of my German heritage
My eyebrows are often overgrown
My fingernails are jagged from my bad nail-biting habit
I have moles on my skin because the sun is not my friend
I like fast food a little too much
My eyes are small and blue like the Greek sea and I am proud to share this exact color with my son Landon
I have wrinkles on my forehead from thinking too much
I am emotional and reactionary and I over-analyze everything.
I don’t think of the word ugly as an adjective anymore. I think ugly is a verb. Something people do. Being mean to someone is an ugly thing to do. Calling people names is being ugly. And doing it on the internet, never owning up to who you are? Well, that’s uglier than all the rest.
I’m Molly. I am not a ten.
But I know I’m not a zero either.
I am somebody. Somebody who is beautiful, inside and out. It’s time I start believing it again and showing off the beauty for everyone to see.
Twitter: jana0926
says:
Molly, you are beautiful inside and out. And I’d say you’re an 11 for posting this. Anonymous is a negative 37573759372759020 and a coward. I’m with you… ugly is a verb. And there are a lot of ugly people out there. Sad for them.
Jana A recently posted..SOC Sunday: Saying Goodbye
“You’re an 11 for posting this.”
Thank you for making my day, Jana
What an ugly thing to say. And I might add ridiculous and untrue. Somebody was obviously having a bad day and was jealous of a good vlog.
Ali recently posted..WTF Wednesday – The "Humiliating Myself for A Paycheck" Edition
Lovely, thoughtful post, lovely Molly.
My eyes are open and your beauty shines bright. : )
Pam @writewrds recently posted..You’ll love Ottawa
Thank you so much for your support, Pam.
Twitter: Rsimplelives
says:
I think this will be the best post that I’ll read all week.
What an odd and horrible thing for someone to write.
And you did a wonderful job of responding to it with this post.
Your Friend, m.
Mark recently posted..Soon
Best post? Well, I can just die a happy girl now, Mark.
Happy Monday to you, friend.
How rude! I can’t believe someone would post that comment, so uncalled for! You are BEAUTIFUL! And don’t let anyone stinkin tell you otherwise.
THANK YOU!!!
I’m still shocked that someone would go through the trouble to tear someone down like that. I am so proud of you for keeping your head high and seeing the truth, that ugly is an emotion, not a look.
<3
Megan recently posted..Birthday recap.
Who knows why people do this stuff. It doesn’t make any sense to me but the Internet can be a very strange place.
Twitter: sarahkoci
says:
Amen to this: “I am somebody. Somebody who is beautiful, inside and out. It’s time I start believing it again and showing off the beauty for everyone to see.” It’s so difficult to believe it ourselves, and gets that much more so when anonymous nobodies tell us otherwise. Thanks for standing up for what we all need to believe in.
Sarah recently posted..practice to habit: day three & day four
Preach, Molly!! Love this post.
You are beautiful, Molly. I’m sorry that jerk posted that to you.
Tessa recently posted..Y3W | A Target Giveaway!
Twitter: CynthiaMeents
says:
It sounds like a very adolescent thing to say to someone. I’d feel better assuming it was a stupid kid. You are not ugly in any sense of the word. I’d like to pop anonymous upside the head!
Cynthia M recently posted..Wicked English Teacher Wednesday — February
Twitter: labuenavidamere
says:
As someone who has recently experienced the mean-anonymous comment thing, I have to say that one of the weirdest parts of it to me has been how long one mean comment sticks with you, and how quickly I forget the 10 positive ones. It’s so weird, and a constant battle in my head.
Anyway, just wanted to say that I understand, and I’m sorry. You’re right–that anonymous person is the ugly one, not because of their appearance, but because of their heart.
Meredith @ La Buena Vida recently posted..Real
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this crap too. I don’t understand what would possess anyone to write such a mean-spirited comment. And you’re right, when we get the bad ones they overshadow the good ones.
But not today! Look at all the good that has come out of that awful little word. Tons of support from bloggers everywhere
Twitter: heirtoblair
says:
::horror face::
Molly, you are beautiful inside & out & I know that for a fact since I’ve seen you in person.
Also, you write beautiful words, not hate-filled words & that makes everything around you more beautiful.
I understand, though. There’s a running joke around the interwebs that I look homeless 90% of the time & when I first saw it, it stung. BADLY. I know I’m not a fashion blogger & that I’m pudgy & I try to hide it with baggy clothes, but ouch! I want to say that me spinning it & using the phrase in my own writing has eased the sting, but not really. It’s just one of those things that happens & we do our best to push past it.
See you in just a matter of weeks & I can’t wait to squeeze the snot out of you.
Beth Anne recently posted..We keep getting kicked out of the house & I’m so thankful for it.
Ugh, BA. I’m so sorry people feel the need to beat down on someone they don’t even know. I think you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met. And I’m not just talking about on the outside (which you totally are). I’m talking about your honest and caring heart.
I’m not going to lie. It was a hard day and I searched for the ugliness in the mirror that night. But really, I never found it. I can’t bring myself to believe that I’m ugly. I know I’m not regardless of what other people think.
I can’t wait to see you too. I’m feeling nervous but hopeful that I can be myself this time.
Molly,
Don’t let some random asshat ruin your day. Jerks.
I love your blog!
Thank you for loving my blog! I love you for visiting!
That person was just plain rude, and scared of what they were writing or they wouldn’t have left it anonymous. You are beautiful, and you are who you are!! God made each of us different, and some people have figured out that beauty is also on the inside!
Tiffani recently posted..Random Thoughts
It took me two months to actually post a picture of myself on my blog once I got it going. It’s nerve-wracking being so public and “out there” but your attitude is inspiring. I will remember your words the next time I think about taking down my pic!
Molly recently posted..Today’s waffle: fresh flowers
I love when anonymous people hide behind the keyboard when posting a comment. It’s one thing if you are posting something positive, or saying thank you – doing something good for someone perhaps without wanting to be found out – but this just screams insecurity if the person had to post it anonymously. Obviously afraid of the backlash they’d get from others. What happened to “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all?”
Chin up BEAUTIFUL!
Suze recently posted..Snow Day with Elmer Fudd…I Mean Tommy!
That is just awful. I would have fallen into a heap and sobbed for the rest of day. Because I am also “emotional and reactionary and I over-analyze everything”.
You are strong and beautiful. I love that you turned a comment from a random douche into something insightful and positive.
Cannot believe someone could write something so mean, but then again guess it’s not all that surprising as our society seems to be composed of lurking bullies as well. And in my opinion anyone who leaves an anonymous, negative comment is not only a bully but someone very unhappy with themselves and their own life. It’s sad how carelessly some throw around words never realizing the depth of hurt they can inflict on others and even themselves. But you turned around something rather negative, wrote such a great positive post today, and that’s what matters the most. Think you have inspired a lot of people. You are a beautiful person both inside and out, not to mention you write a lovely blog!
There has been so much of this going on lately. Some people are so full of hate, and it’s usually because they hate themselves. I completely agree with you, it’s time to start putting yourself out there, it will only help your self confidence and those ugly commenters will have less of an affect on you. I’m so sorry youths to deal with this!! You are wonderful and I just love your blog!!
Mandy@ a sorta fairytale recently posted..Oreck Magnesium Vacuum Review & Giveaway!
Thank you so much, Mandy! You know I love you and your blog too! <3
There should be an app somewhere built into our blogs that immediately sends
anonymous comments to spam or trash or some acceptable level of Dante’s Inferno … because really, if they cannot actually acknowledge their words – why should we?
By Word of Mouth Musings recently posted..Groundhog Day. How is your wheel?
Rude comment. Of course they are too chicken-shit to leave a name. Idiot.
All of your posts are great, Molly, but this one in particular made me want to say, ‘You go, girl.’ Take that, internet meanies!
julia recently posted..Twenty-Three months
Twitter: suzstreats
says:
WTH! Mean people suck. I’ve met you & know that you’re beautiful inside & out!
Suz @ Suz’s Treats recently posted..Nineteen Weeks
Twitter: angelaamman
says:
First of all, on the outside you are just lovely. So ugh on anyone who would say otherwise.
Second of all, I am so sorry someone said that to you, not because of your outside but because of your insides. I can’t wait to meet you, not because of what you look like, but because you are so very beautiful and honest with your words.
Rock on Molly. xo
I love love love this post and you aren’t ugly you are great!!!!
Margaret recently posted..Finishing The Book
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
Oh Molly, you are beautiful, both inside and out. Anyone who would think to say otherwise of you is just jealous.
Kimberly recently posted..The Toddler Talks
Twitter: CourtneyKirklnd
says:
Ugly is most definitely a verb. I’m sorry someone was so juvenile as to post this. Not only to post something so cruel, but to post it anonymously. What a coward. You are BEAUTIFUL inside and out and we love you. Hold you head up because you rock!
Courtney Kirkland recently posted..Fog
OK. I haven’t met you but I think you’re beautiful inside and out. And this post makes me all kind of angry, and happy all at once. You did a great job with a rude, unacceptable, comment. YOU ROCK. And happen to be pretty, too.
Kim recently posted..Boys Will Be Boys. Right??
Twitter: RecruitingMama
says:
Pay no attention to malicious comments like that Molly! You are beautiful and have so much going for yourself. Keep your chin up and don’t let people like that get to you because they’re not worth a second of your time. You are too good for them. Keep writing girl!
Jenn recently posted..Someone hand me a Mr. Clean magic eraser…STAT.
Hi Molly,
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now but have never commented before, I wanted to leave a comment after your vlog to tell you how great it was but my little ones were calling me and I ran out of time. I’ve just read this post and I am so shocked someone would leave you such a rude and insensitive comment I had to leave you a happy and positive comment. You are so inspiring and I love reading your posts and have so much admiration for you, you are a fantastic Mum to your boys. I thought your vlog was great and you are lovely. Take care Erica
You blog is about you…not some person who doesn’t like themselves enough to try to hurt you.
I have a lot of negative experiences like this. All I can say is, you are a joy to read and a person of courage to post a vlog. I admire you for that. You’re PRETTY awesome for having this site. That’s PRETTY cool.
Lance recently posted..See A Little Light
Hi Molly! don’t mind that jerk. I know your a great person and your so gorgeous inside and out. Just enjoy your life and keep writing.
Divina recently posted..Happy New Year To All Of You And Hope You Like The Aquarium Fish Photos Here …
I’m sorry to hear you received such a nasty comment recently. I had one not too long ago also that really stung something fierce… but you know, you can’t help what mean people think/say. What you can control is how you react to them. And this post shows that you are a strong woman (could also be your German heritage… I’m part German, too!) and that you’re not willing to let one bad apple spoil the bunch. Good for you.
This “anonymous” person sounds like a sad sap if you ask me.
Charlotte recently posted..tides of my life and the rest of it all
Thank you so much for your support, Charlotte. I truly appreciate it!
Twitter: allthingsfadra
says:
Dammit. You put tears in my eyes. I hate that mean people exist in the world merely to be mean. I love how you took that experience to redefine how you feel about yourself. I, too, would be drowning my sorrows in french fries. Except mine would come from McDonald’s.
For the record, I think you’re beautiful.
Fadra recently posted..Just 5 Things… My Favorite Cookbooks
Twitter: becca7903
says:
oh my goodness. i really can’t believe the audacity of some people! and yes! ugly IS a verb for sure. and what anonymous did is certainly ugly. we use that word at home for our two year old too. we don’t tell him he was mean, we told him what he’s doing is ugly…
but i digress. this post is awesome. so truthful. so honest. SO. REAL. and i love that. that you so much for sharing.
becca @ just one more trip recently posted..listening? now that might be a problem!
Twitter: tophersgirl1
says:
people are jackholes, dude. you are lovely, Molly!
Oh, goosebumps over here. And in my book? You’re absolutely a 10. Know why? I’ve always been more of a ‘get to know ya’ person. That whole ‘don’t judge a book by a cover’ thing. I think some of the most beautiful featured people are ugly, because of the way the act.
You are Molly. And you are incredible.
MommaKiss recently posted..It’s true
Awwww, you made me tear up! Thank you so much for these lovely words of yours. It really made my day to know that there are people out there that support me!
Found your blog today – love this post. What a wonderful way to react to a rude comment and lesson for all of us at the same time. Thanks.
Amy Lawrence recently posted..Motherhood.
Hi Molly! I’m late to the game, but wow. Anonymous, negative posters hold NO power. None. It takes no thought and no heart to hop on a blog anonymously and blurt crap like that.
You are beautiful- I have always thought that and I consider you a good blog friend.
PS- I also have a bump on my nose, though I don’t have German heritage! I got it from my grandpa who’s Swedish.
And I consider you a good blog friend too! I’ll never forget my original readers