As a child, I didn't know what I didn't have. I'm thankful for the challenges early on in my life because now I have a perspective on the world and kind of know what's important.
America FerreraRead
How much time have I wasted on diets and what I look like? People are saying 'We love you and love what you do' and you're sitting there thinking 'I'm not skinny enough or pretty enough.' It's taken a lot of work to get over that.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the struggle with self-image and the importance of accepting oneself despite societal pressures.
America Ferrera reflects on the time and energy spent worrying about physical appearance due to societal expectations and personal insecurities. She suggests that true validation comes from external love and support rather than conforming to unrealistic beauty standards, highlighting the necessity of self-acceptance and personal growth in overcoming these feelings.
Themes
Self-AcceptanceBody ImageConfidenceBeauty StandardsValidation
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about self-love at a women's conference.
More from America Ferrera
All quotes →What’s hard about being on the other side of the world is that sometimes the problem feels so big that changing one life doesn’t feel like enough. But it is.
America FerreraRead
Kids not only understand [a dark story] but appreciate it … Because in the real world there's fear, and dark things happen no matter how young you are. People lose parents, people lose friends … There's darkness in the world. So I think when kids are talked to in that way, they appreciate it. They're not being given some candy-coated, 'Oh, this is a world where there are no stakes.' I think that actually insults their intelligence.
America FerreraRead
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