Hey guys, here is me poeming about some of my body image issues. There are some confessions in it I'm a little nervous about putting out there, but in an attempt to be open and vulnerable, here we go! If you like the writing or were at all impressed that this was done in one take, feel free to give me a thumbs up!
"You could actually be really pretty if you just tried." Damn. I heard that from so many schoolmates growing up. You hit the nail on the nose. This whole video was just incredible and so real.
+Jackson Bird And I always hear those words from my mom since I won't wear makeup. I hide it under my bed, it doesn't come out unless she says so or I feel like I have to wear it. But I hate it so much, I feel like a doll for others to play with when I wear it. And at only 18 that's sad.
+JL the Editor It's really unfair that your mother would put you in such a position. You should make her understand that it makes you feel uncomfortable and that her behaviour makes you feel uncomfortable. Don't let people push you, not even your family! Just do what makes you happy, because at the end that's all that matters :)
+Alyssa Vy I agree with your sentiment, but it's harder to put into practice when your parents control how you appear in public while you're young. I was taught at a young age that what I liked didn't matter, I had to go for the muted jeans or shorts and the drab t-shirt. They simply wouldn't allow me to have the brightly colored clothing if they had to pay for it. And then they had to stand back in shock when I started working and bought my own tie-dyed shirts and shorts that were not denim. Someone's lack of funds can allow others to have power over them.
sichotic28 Hmm I guess that's the next step, but this is rather extreme compared to what most parents (or so I believe) do. I am really sorry that your parents didn't give you the freedom to express yourself through your own style and I hope it's better now in case you moved out. Personally I would say screw them. Let them realize that this is important to you and that they have no right to control you. As for people who have to go through the same as you did, I would say it would be good to try to make a point in front of them, to make them know how important that actually is. But idk, it is a quite complicated and rather difficult situation to be in :/ Glad that you don't have to depend on them anymore.
Hi Ashley, I'm 30 years old and I started crying watching your video because I remember what I was told as a young girl so vividly. It's so, so hard to unlearn all this but it's vitally important that we do. Thank you for your beautiful words, they touched me beyond measure.
5 years ago, I was told, "Why would you put your hair up? It's so long and pretty!" 1 year ago, I chopped all that shit off, and I've never been happier.
(I wrote this a while ago and I found it in my journal, enjoy) I'll wear what I want to wear. I'll be what I want to be. I'll be who I want to be. I'll love who I want to love. I'll eat what I want to eat. I'll have the body that I have, whether it's perfect or not. I'll be friends with the people I want to be friends with. I'll wear my hair however I want. I'll be "gay" all I want. I'll love someone of the same gender if I want to love someone of the same gender. I'll wear this damaged skin because I don't want to hide under a mask. I don't want to hide under a mask. Unlike you. and one last thing, I don't have to meet your standards. The only standards I have to meet are my own. -Cam Shelly, 2015
"I'll wear this damaged skin because I don't want to hide under a mask." is really good, the rest is overused (no offence) but good nonetheless. that damaged skin one really got me, it's so good.
ASHLEY. WOAH. YES. You have such a talent for storytelling and conveying your experiences. I am so so so in awe. Also everything you said is on the mark. Caitlin can f**k off, you're incredible
I hated, absolutely hated my hair for being curly, because of those who'd remark "it's poofy and frizzy"you should straighten it", so I wouldn't be caught dead outside a ponytail. I hated my freckles, because I thought they looked like "orange speckles " i hated myself for liking girls and boys. I hated my thighs for being "bigger" than my skinnier friends, when, looking back, I looked like skin and bones. I hated my body for being sexually abused. I hated the "girly" traits I had to wear to fit in with the world because I was trapped inside a body my soul didn't accept. I hated myself for having "no personality" because I was so emotionally damaged, I was "bland" in comparison to my friends. Three years ago I couldn't have imagined a day without cutting or hating my weight. Today, my hair short and Im learning to love my curls, eyes body shape,freckles and I'm slowly becoming more confident of my body, gender identity being nonbinary and sexuality. God made me just perfect. xoCas
did you just not grow us in society and know how girls are forced to live. because this poem is actually from the heart and you can tell and it made us cry because it is a every day thing for girls that "aren't pretty enough" because she pretty much said everything that all of us are to afraid to say
I've been told that "why would you have your hair tied up? You're so pretty with it down" "why wouldn't you wear makeup? You look so good with it" so I can only look good when I spend hours trying to look good? Why can't i look be considered pretty without it?
So beautiful and talented! I am 35 and your poem, your words and your coice took me right back to 6th grade. Which was 1992! The girl was Crystal. I think every girl has their own "Katelyn".
I don't expect you to know what it is like due to being a male. But 11- 12 year old girls going through puberty are quite sensitive about their looks. That is what the core of the post is about. If you ever have a daughter when they hit puberty you might have an idea. Although since you will never go through what a young girl/ woman goes through I will deem you're opinion for what it is: completely worthless.
Raping someone and going through puberty and being sensitive are totally different! What the hell are you even talking about. Leave it to a man to think about rape when talking about women and 11 and 12 year old girls. I am not engaging with you anymore sicko. So don't expect a response to anymore of your bullshit. Go troll somewhere else. You do realise sensitivity is defensive while rape is offensive?
Ashley, I love your one take poems and I'm always impressed! The thing that resonated with me the most was when you mentioned the "uninvited life advice was shamelessly shouted at me from a porch of a college frat". This is appalling! As a past president of a fraternity here at UMN anyone who would have condoned this behavior would not be welcomed to call themselves a member. From my experience not all college groups are the same and it sucks that everyone gets lumped into this "greek life" category. It makes me sick to my stomach that I am associated with a broad organization that allows for this type of behavior. Demoralizing acts like this shouldn't happen and I'm sorry they do. I just wanted to let you know that not every frat goer is a horrible person and I wish there was more I could do to prove that.
Oh my gosh. I bawled my eyes out. This was so empowering for me, a thirteen year old gay girl, and I found it to be SO relatable. Thank you for making this, I wish I would’ve found it sooner!
from a guy in his early 40s who's been in a wheelchair all his life and judged on his appearance relentlessly even though those doing the judging don't even realize they're doing it......let me tell you this Ashley Mardell......You are gorgeous inside and out. You say what you mean and mean what you say and don't give a crap about the consequences. Keep on being you!
I as a 12 year old girl get asked all the time why I "dress like a lesbian" or get told all the time that I " could be pretty" and every time I ask how? its the same answer every time simply "change everything about myself" because " no one will love you if your unattractive". why is it that this imprinted into the minds of people so young? because even tho I am growing up in a more "accepting" generation im not being accepted. im just not being paid attention to not "accepted" and it breaks my heart that it is "normal" to do that. rant over. have a nice day! -Jenny
Jenny you sound like a very smart girl. I wish I had someone as inspirational as Ash to look up to when I was your age. Being who you are will bring you more happiness than trying to please other people, and when some does fall for you, they will be falling for the amazing person you are instead of someone you were trying to be. This is not what I did in middle school and high school. I completely changed, and became what people wanted me to become. I look back at that time of my life and I am ashamed at who I was pretending to be. Sorry for the long ranty/preachy post, it's just Ash's vid really affected me as did your post.
Love this so much, and kudos to you for performing it in one take! Love that you're investing your immense creative energy in new forms and constantly pushing yourself to improve - the true meaning on a YOUTuber PS LET'S CHILL - CHRISTMAS CHEER :D
+David Levitz also I just finished it and you look BEAUT with your hair down, but also I can only say that having the rest of the video behind it. This piece's ultimate takeaway is that you masterfully broke into a relatively unfamiliar form to share an important unique point of view you're passionate about and risked putting it into the world. You did a fantastic job, truly, and as always I cannot wait to see what comes next from your wonderful diamond in the rough of a channel
I know this comes from a place of strenght and maturity and maybe you already know it but i still wanna say it. This was very brave Ashley, i'm so proud of you on your journey and i wanna thank you for sharing it for all of us that are still strugglin', you just gave to me what your friend gave to you, you made me feel not alone, you made me feel that maybe all the shit i've been told and made feel like to the point of even my own thoughts repeating it to me, maybe all of that is wrong and i shouldn't have to fit, i shouldn't have to believe i'm suponed to get to a certain point to believe i am beautiful or i am succesful. Because that's what i do, everyday, i tell myself that maybe i'm not there yet but i will be, maybe one day i'll be able to look at myself and like what i see because i'll be beautiful. I'll stop myself here but thank you, and you ARE truly BEAUTIFUL the way you ARE, and i'm sorry that you ever had to go through that but i'm so happy that you are where you are now.
Okay, I actually cried to this, because you spoke some awesome truth and hit quite a few sensitive points that I'm still struggling with. Especially the part about looking too much like a lesbian. My mother has repeatedly pointed out to me that she is actually offended (and I am quoting her when I say "offended") by women who, according to her, "dress in a way that denies their femininity" as if by wearing a suit and tie and sporting a shaved head or a buzz cut means that you're no longer a woman. I've tried to understand her point so many times. We've even emailed about it (because any time I try talking it turns into a full blown argument and I wanted to really understand). However, it just feels like everything she's offended by is everything that I like and want to be. I want to be comfortable enough to cut my hair at some point. I like more muscle and broader shoulders. Hell, I even wish sometimes that my voice were a little deeper (so I can project a little better and not sound so quiet all the time) but that does not mean that I want to be a guy. I am a woman. I like being a woman. I like me. But my mom doesn't. And what sucks the most is that she doesn't even know it, because I'm too scared to tell her. But you've inspired me, Ashley. I may not be able to now, but eventually I'm going to be able to learn to accept me for me. Thank you so much for this video.
Shit, that one hit too close for comfort. Sadly. I wish no one had to go through these struggles. I'm sorry you had to. Thank you for sharing, for opening up to us, for trusting us. You are a beautiful human being and deserve all the good that is coming to you and more :) (also damn. that writing. the inner rhymes and pace were so good. and i will never understand how you can memorise and then shoot these in one take. i have to say that the lack of cuts gives it a very raw and particular strength that it probably wouldn't have otherwise though. congratulations, ashley, you are one talented, hardworking cookie
Well... I'm crying. Two years later and here I am... listening to these words in a video made a while ago... about things that happened even longer ago... and being able to relate to it. I feel my heart sinking as the tears of finally having someone I so much admire, understand what I have been feeling for a long time. A person that I love to listen to and feel such deep emotions when hearing their voice... and is ten years older than me. Ten years and all the things that are mentioned here, are still true. It's heart breaking. Seeing how such actions and words have been affecting so many young girls (and boys) around the world for the longest time. I hadn't thought this deeply about the things people have told me concerning beauty, because I've been so used to hearing them since such a young age that they just became. My. Reality. Well now, I'm pretty sure they have become someone else's reality too and I just hope, from the bottom of my heart, with all my soul, that those people find someone to help them and open their eyes or just to let them know they are not alone. Just like Ash was to me.
By some weird, serendipitous and wonderful accident, I came across one of your videos recently. Ashley, I'm an old man now, but I remember how my good friend Ralph struggled with his journey. His dad was a deacon in the Baptist church in the small town where we were raised. It was a different time and a different reaction to anyone who ever thought of "coming out". Ralph was (and still is) a wonderful person, but just couldn't deal with the attitude's of the time and having majored in Foreign Language in college, decided to move to Germany to teach school. Long story short, he met the love of his life, Sanders, who was from Amsterdam, and they have been together now for 29 years. We stay in touch, but he still lives in Europe. In fact my wife and her aunt stayed a couple of nights with the two of them on a vacation a few years back. Anyway, I am so very proud of you and proud of Grace. You make me laugh and you make me cry. Thank the lord attitudes are changing. In closing, GIRL YOU ARE SOMETHING ELSE!!!! How the heck does Grace keep up with all of your energy??? Grace is cool as hell and you are an amazing talent. Blessings.....
I am a naturally really impatient person and when I see a video that's longer than 2 minutes I generally go ughhhhh but I could listen to this girl's poetry for three straight days with my eyes glued to the screen and love every second of it. So honest, so relatable, so perfectly worded and acted. What an amazing feeling it is: to have someone so amazingly illustrate some of your deepest, most private struggles and show you that you are not alone in your issues, you are not isolated, you are not different, that someone else gets it, in fact, a lot of someones do. Ashley is definitely not gonna read this, but THANK YOU. Thank you for using this amazing talent of yours to speak out on things that matter, for being brave enough to put yourself out there and shed light on things that aren't discussed, for sharing these personal experiences that make some of us feel a little less alone in the world. Thank you.
I've seen a lot of moving vidoes, but this has been the best, most touching video I have seen thus far. Thank you so much for sharing these feelings, making me realize my own feelings, the exact same feelings. Thank you so much. You are so wonderful.
i come back and watch this every so often just to remind myself that even though growing up sucks, i could come out of it happy and successful and confident in ways that i never could've dreamed. what an incredible and inspirational video.
Why are you not famous?! This is genius. Seriously. I love your videos (the content and editing / presentation is so well done!), love your adorable personality, creativity and incredibly clever and quick wit. I especially love seeing the beautiful relationship you have with your wonderful wife.
Wow Ashley this was beautiful, I'm crying ❤️💯👏🏻 Me and you share something, we both have lots of self confidence, but it took so long to be that way because of all the horrible things people say to us.. So many people hurt my feelings in middle school and I always listened to what they said about me, so for a while I had to be someone I was not because I was scared about what other people would think of me, but I soon came to the realization that their opinion on me didn't matter, I had to be myself and do what I do best now and not listen to them. So finally in late 7th and 8th grade I began to wear what I wanted and tell more and more people that I was in fact gay, and not give a damn what anyone said about me behind my back, and those people who are mean to me, and were mean to me won't even matter in the future
カー三ブランドン Yes, yes it fucking does. If you wear makeup everyday, you arent confident in yourself. People wear makeup to look better than they actually do. You only do that if you arent confident in yourself.
+Everist Mister Makeup is not always about covering up, it's about expressing yourself, for many it is about discovering there own sense of style, it is also about choice. Whether or not you agree with that choice is irrelevant. If want to talk about confidence, the problem is not about the people who lack it, the problem is with people like you who feel the need to criticize others for there own choices. People are doing there own thing, so move along and stop being a bully!
This video made me smile so much and actually amazingly made me laugh. This has given my insecure self something to think about and actually be proud of. Cause I get hate from my class mates and family all the time about how I look and it kills me. Thank you so much for this video. I finally have a perfect reason to smile about who I am
omg you are so amazing. I literally have no words. I've been struggling with image, makeup, weight issues, and wearing my hair in a bun since sixth grade too! literally....everything you said, is me. so so beautifully said.
That's it. Tired of going back and forth and feeling conflicted and unhappy, I'm cutting my hair tomorrow. Thanks Ashley, you've done it again you impressive human :)
I don't have the right words to describe how this effected me. I was shocked, truly and completely, to hear this come from someone I have thought of as beautiful since I started watching this channel. I could hardly believe my ears, but as I listened I realized how much I have been changing myself for other's preferences. By the end, I was crying and decided I don't need to be beautiful for anyone but me. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I cried. I literally did. I feel you. That poem had so much power in it. If only people were smart and enlightened enough to appreciate what lies under the physical. But then again, you don't need the approval of other people to be happy.
And just getting into what you said about the comment you heard as a young girl "if you tried you could be pretty" I heard a seventy year old woman say that to her thirty year old nurse at work the other day. The sheer stupidity and comments from strangers never end. Sixth grade never ends.
+angelpaw namess if you haven't heard of George Watsky, he has some really good spoken word, while also having some good music. If you're looking for something more meaningful, I recommend Tiny Glowing Screens Pt. 2. If you want something funny, I recommend S is for Lisp or Leopards and Horseshoes. His music is also good too, you can really see how influenced he is by spoken word.
Alshley, thank you. U re so inspiring. I love all ur videos they are always so intelligent and so sincere but this one especially. You made me realize how face and shallow some of my "friends" are. I never wear makeup. They always say "why don you wear makeup? You would look so pretty with it". I always wear my hair in a bun, every single day. Most of the people I know don't know what I look like with my hair down. They always tell me "why do u always wear your hair up? U would look good with it down" and I am so done hearing this...all the time. So thank you, Ashley
You have inspired me. I am a sixth grader who once thought that I needed to be pretty to fit in. But I don't. If I just show people who I am I might finally find the right friends. And I might be the only Lesbian in my school or the only one with the courage to show people. But I want to help others now.
It's been years since I first saw this video. It took me listening to it every day, over and over for hours on end before I truly understood the entirety of everything being said. I rediscovered this video in Chemestry today and was once again taken aback by the beauty of these words. Thanks for helping me understand what beauty really is.
Beautiful poem from a beautiful person. You are not alone in these feelings and it is wonderful to hear you speak about healing and growing as a person. Lots of respect for putting yourself out there.
You just changed my life. This was incredible. I need you to know (even if you completely ignore/never notice this comment) that you have just empowered a thirteen year old girl to ignore the kaitlyns and not worry about being pretty, rather just being happy, healthy, and god damn proud. Thank you so much ❤️
This is how I feel right now. I just wrote a comment like that. I hope your life as been going wonderful and I'm giving you, Kasey, a friendly reminder that you are beautiful and that you are loved. Maybe you don't hear it often, but you are loved by so many people, and I hope one of them is you!
idek how many times ive watched this anymore... this is literally one of my favorite videos... you have no idea how much you have helped me... im so sorry that you had to go through this though... i wish that nobody has to go through anything like this... btw i think you are so fucking gorgeous, and your hair is so shiny and beautiful... ily!!
You are so beautiful . Short hair , long hair or even if you had no hair . I mean no offense or to step over any boundaries but you most certainly are beautiful inside and out . We are all put into the boxes when we come into this world . Boxes we never choose , the world they just put use there . It is admirable and much appreciated when someone so kind yet humble such as yourself has the courage to say what is so hard to the rest of us to even muster the words. Thank you for sharing .:)
"Untamable hair" that made me laugh bc I'm black lol but I LOVE this video. It's really important for people to unlearn these deeply internalized beauty standards
you are such an inspiration to me. this really taught me to be me not what other people think I should be. this video made my cry tears of joy, tears of acceptance.thank you
Ashley, I have been watching TH-cam for many years and followed dozens upon dozens of vlogs. Your channel, however, is the most inspirational I have encountered. Every single one of your videos has so much wisdom in it; so much sincerity and so much love. I think you are a truly beautiful person, and I thank you for reminding me of the things that matter in my life. Thank you so very much.
Very sad, extremely beautiful and agonizingly relevant in society today . Keep it up Ash (Alright if I call you Ash?)! Love your channel. Gives me strength!
this made me cry, I've struggled with not feeling good enough and not worthy of love, but you're totally right, it's a process and I have a lot to learn. The poem was beautiful, you're really talented. Thank you Ashley
this is me. I literally cried because I can't put my hair down without doing something to it (maybe 3 times a year) in the last 3 years or so I mostly do braids or buns because ponytails just aren't enough to contain my hair..... thank you.
I cried a little throughout this whole poem, but I lost it when you pulled your hair down. To see the culmination of someone's insecurities whisked away in a hair flip was truly amazing.
Wow, just wow. I loved this video so much and I think that you've reached every viewer with your poem. Gosh, I relate to this on so many levels especially the part where you mentioned that someone's worth is determined by the amount of people that wanna "bang" you. Personally, I've never dated or had a romantic relationship in my life and recently turning 18 I thought that there must be something wrong with me. Am I not worthy of love? Am I not thin or confident enough to be considered attractive? Am I not beautiful? There are times were I try to "look pretty" but as you said it feels like putting on a costume. I'm on the road in order to dress and feel comfortable for me. To accept my body on how it is because it's the only one I got. Thank you so much for this video
man the number of times I've heard things ending with "if you only tried to" hurts. You could be skinny if you tried, you could smile if you tried, you could be beautiful if you tried.. I know how you feel Ash. This hits close to home
Okay, here we go... I'm sure that you probably don't need to hear from me on a topic like this, one that's so deeply personal, but truth be told, I originally found your channel because we live in the same city and I've been a passive casual observer for quite some time. As your fairly basic caucasian, CIS gendered, straight dude, I recognize that I probably fall outside of your general demographic and that my 'input' is probably not what you're looking for , but with all that being said, I think that you do incredible things for a lot of people. While I don't know if this will mean anything at all to you, I think that you're a beautiful woman both physically and spiritually and you do this world a big favor by just being in it. You're also an excellent representation of why our city is so amazing and while you're not a 'locally-centric' blogger, you still represent well. While that all might just be my personal opinion on the matter (although I'm sure many of your subscribers will probably agree with me to some extent) I think that you deserve to be told. Just keep up all the amazing work that you do and know that your support comes form more walks of life than maybe you realize. P.S. I've actually seen you out and about a handful of times at a coffee shop that I frequently blog out of and I've wanted to tell you that I love your work in person, however,I tend to be a bit shy and I'm never one to infringe on someone's work space! :)
I'm extremely tall. I'm extremely ugly. I'm extremely annoying. I'm extremely fat. But. I guess that's just how I was made. Can't change the fact that no one will find my attractive. Or that no boy will like me. Or that I'm not pretty. I just have to keep my grades up.. And I guess that's all that matters. : )
everyone is beautiful in their own way you have good qualities too you just need to find them you will be loved, found attractive and many people will find you interesting, not anoying
This video is probably my favorite video on the internet. I come back to it all the time and it has inspired me so much and also introduced me to slam poetry. Thank you for this Ashley.
I absolutely love you! you have helped me with understanding the world, helped me identify why i'm depressed, and gave me some happy moments when things weren't so... yellow. So thank you so much Ash.
Ashley is the most beautiful person I've ever seen of any sex or gender. Inside and out!! You inspire us all!! Your bullies are, in a word or three... *VERY, VERY WRONG!!*
I recently found your TH-cam channel, and all your videos make me so happy and emotional. and oh my god your eyes! your face! your hair! your body! I'm in love with all your features I'm not kidding! I haven't seen a human being so beautiful and it pains me to see how such a wonderful person has went through so much hardships. you deserve all the love in the world!!!
I know this was awhile ago but wow!! I was so moved by that. Why can't people just accept who you are? But they don't they just accuse and point fingers at us. At me. Thank you ash. this helped me
wont lie i am crying a bit now because my story relates alil too close to this for comfort. its something i still struggle with and its soemthing im trying to change. i try to see my stretch marks as tiger stripes but its still hard when everyone tells you you could be better. thank you so much for posting this bc this is just another reminder that fuck all matters about others opinions of myself. thank you and thank you for your strength and your story :)
I've seen this video a hundred times and every single time it makes me feel so much better about myself and makes me feel so proud of you and I just want to thank you so so much for this
Beauty is subjective. And i believe that one day we won't have those clichés about how a girl should be to be beautiful. One day the fact to just be yourself will open people eyes on what real beauty is.. This is what everyone have to lern , not trying to be like everybody else makes you beautiful, to try to feel comfortable in your clothes and to be yourself make you a beautiful person.
Hey guys, here is me poeming about some of my body image issues. There are some confessions in it I'm a little nervous about putting out there, but in an attempt to be open and vulnerable, here we go!
If you like the writing or were at all impressed that this was done in one take, feel free to give me a thumbs up!
+Ashley Mardell Love it
omg, ashley you are seriously the most inspiring person ever to walk on this earth! ilysm!!!
+Ashley Mardell omg one take this poem is amazing!!! so gooood!! it is really well done!! you are amazing! I watch you from Ecuadooor!
Hahahahaha Learning to bu UGLY... You hahahaha you can't be ugly!! 💚😀😍😛❤️
+Ashley Mardell youre gorgeous xoxo
"You could actually be really pretty if you just tried." Damn. I heard that from so many schoolmates growing up. You hit the nail on the nose. This whole video was just incredible and so real.
+Jackson Bird And I always hear those words from my mom since I won't wear makeup. I hide it under my bed, it doesn't come out unless she says so or I feel like I have to wear it. But I hate it so much, I feel like a doll for others to play with when I wear it. And at only 18 that's sad.
+JL the Editor
It's really unfair that your mother would put you in such a position. You should make her understand that it makes you feel uncomfortable and that her behaviour makes you feel uncomfortable. Don't let people push you, not even your family! Just do what makes you happy, because at the end that's all that matters :)
+Alyssa Vy I agree with your sentiment, but it's harder to put into practice when your parents control how you appear in public while you're young. I was taught at a young age that what I liked didn't matter, I had to go for the muted jeans or shorts and the drab t-shirt. They simply wouldn't allow me to have the brightly colored clothing if they had to pay for it. And then they had to stand back in shock when I started working and bought my own tie-dyed shirts and shorts that were not denim. Someone's lack of funds can allow others to have power over them.
sichotic28 Hmm I guess that's the next step, but this is rather extreme compared to what most parents (or so I believe) do. I am really sorry that your parents didn't give you the freedom to express yourself through your own style and I hope it's better now in case you moved out. Personally I would say screw them. Let them realize that this is important to you and that they have no right to control you. As for people who have to go through the same as you did, I would say it would be good to try to make a point in front of them, to make them know how important that actually is. But idk, it is a quite complicated and rather difficult situation to be in :/ Glad that you don't have to depend on them anymore.
my mom always told me guys only like girls with make up and i was always prettier with it on. i was never allowed to look like i was lazy.
Endlessly coming back to this video, it’s so fucking important to me. This video taught me a lot
Back for my usual 6 month rewatch. Made me cry this time. Please never take this video down
Ahhhhhh!! This was so good and so cute and I understand this so much! :)
+AmandasChronicles Will you marry me?
Amanda I love you so much 💕
AMANDA💕
+AmandasChronicles You're everywhere I swear
+AmandasChronicles you are beautiful :)
Hi Ashley, I'm 30 years old and I started crying watching your video because I remember what I was told as a young girl so vividly. It's so, so hard to unlearn all this but it's vitally important that we do. Thank you for your beautiful words, they touched me beyond measure.
+femaleforester P.S. I had a Caitlin too
Yep many of us have had a caitlin
i was told as a five year old that crying made me ugly. i was told that again by my favorite teacher in high school.
My point is that you dont tell a sad person (especially a five year old) that they are ugly. You hug them and tell them its going to be ok
5 years ago, I was told, "Why would you put your hair up? It's so long and pretty!"
1 year ago, I chopped all that shit off, and I've never been happier.
Laura Eye same.
I wish I could, but I’m a dancer
Let me guess how many people told you "Oh noooooo, why did you cut your beeaaaauuutiful long hair???" Eeeh, I go with 478? :)
The alliterations are on fleek!!! 👌👌👌
Also rhyming
+Kevin M Abraham I just learned a word I never want to use or hear or see ever again.
This is an amazing video. Brilliant.
ayy
+BriaAndChrissy I agree
I just wanted to say hi and tell you that I am honored to support your causes and I enjoy your daily vlogs? You are truly lovely humans?
(I wrote this a while ago and I found it in my journal, enjoy)
I'll wear what I want to wear.
I'll be what I want to be.
I'll be who I want to be.
I'll love who I want to love.
I'll eat what I want to eat.
I'll have the body that I have, whether it's perfect or not.
I'll be friends with the people I want to be friends with.
I'll wear my hair however I want.
I'll be "gay" all I want.
I'll love someone of the same gender if I want to love someone of the same gender.
I'll wear this damaged skin because I don't want to hide under a mask.
I don't want to hide under a mask. Unlike you.
and one last thing,
I don't have to meet your standards.
The only standards I have to meet are my own.
-Cam Shelly, 2015
that is great 😊
2 things one that is heart worming and love gravity falls
+mazalenaever
yaaaas Gravity Falls. and thanks!
can I,you Know,take this and write it everywhere?with your name ofc
"I'll wear this damaged skin because I don't want to hide under a mask." is really good, the rest is overused (no offence) but good nonetheless. that damaged skin one really got me, it's so good.
ASHLEY. WOAH. YES. You have such a talent for storytelling and conveying your experiences. I am so so so in awe. Also everything you said is on the mark. Caitlin can f**k off, you're incredible
+grimbleism Thanks Jake
+Ashley Mardell hey great video
+grimbleism get your fucking balls back, for fuck sake
IM SORRY OK
I hated, absolutely hated my hair for being curly, because of those who'd remark "it's poofy and frizzy"you should straighten it", so I wouldn't be caught dead outside a ponytail. I hated my freckles, because I thought they looked like "orange speckles " i hated myself for liking girls and boys. I hated my thighs for being "bigger" than my skinnier friends, when, looking back, I looked like skin and bones. I hated my body for being sexually abused. I hated the "girly" traits I had to wear to fit in with the world because I was trapped inside a body my soul didn't accept. I hated myself for having "no personality" because I was so emotionally damaged, I was "bland" in comparison to my friends. Three years ago I couldn't have imagined a day without cutting or hating my weight. Today, my hair short and Im learning to love my curls, eyes body shape,freckles and I'm slowly becoming more confident of my body, gender identity being nonbinary and sexuality. God made me just perfect.
xoCas
I'm sorry for the spelling errors, I was ranting and I had little room and wasn't paying enough attention 😂 Love you, Ashley!
I love love love love love this thank you 😀
HELL YEAH
+Elly Awesome
+Ashley Mardell
Woah where did these tears come from?
Darn onions...
Saaaaame.
did you just not grow us in society and know how girls are forced to live. because this poem is actually from the heart and you can tell and it made us cry because it is a every day thing for girls that "aren't pretty enough" because she pretty much said everything that all of us are to afraid to say
harley10192000 oh, you girls have it so fucking tough huh?
+Everist Mister woah, what called for disregarding someone's life?
FexloGuitar why would i care for a complete strangers life?
It was sarcastic, women in the west generally dont have it tough AT ALL
I've been told that "why would you have your hair tied up? You're so pretty with it down" "why wouldn't you wear makeup? You look so good with it" so I can only look good when I spend hours trying to look good? Why can't i look be considered pretty without it?
Niz G lmao hi
OMG same
Emily E when I go to get my haircut thats the only thing the hairdresser can say and I'm just sitting their awkward. btw I'm 13
Ikr
Yeah lol why do you have to try to look good everyone looks good they dont need to do anything haha
So beautiful and talented! I am 35 and your poem, your words and your coice took me right back to 6th grade. Which was 1992! The girl was Crystal. I think every girl has their own "Katelyn".
+Lydia Parker I'm 30...I feel the same way. And "my" girl's name was Kathrin. Strange how similar they all sound ;)
I meant "voice".
Must be something about girls that have names that begin with "C & K".
I don't expect you to know what it is like due to being a male. But 11- 12 year old girls going through puberty are quite sensitive about their looks. That is what the core of the post is about. If you ever have a daughter when they hit puberty you might have an idea. Although since you will never go through what a young girl/ woman goes through I will deem you're opinion for what it is: completely worthless.
Raping someone and going through puberty and being sensitive are totally different! What the hell are you even talking about. Leave it to a man to think about rape when talking about women and 11 and 12 year old girls. I am not engaging with you anymore sicko. So don't expect a response to anymore of your bullshit. Go troll somewhere else. You do realise sensitivity is defensive while rape is offensive?
Ashley, I love your one take poems and I'm always impressed!
The thing that resonated with me the most was when you mentioned the "uninvited life advice was shamelessly shouted at me from a porch of a college frat". This is appalling! As a past president of a fraternity here at UMN anyone who would have condoned this behavior would not be welcomed to call themselves a member. From my experience not all college groups are the same and it sucks that everyone gets lumped into this "greek life" category. It makes me sick to my stomach that I am associated with a broad organization that allows for this type of behavior. Demoralizing acts like this shouldn't happen and I'm sorry they do. I just wanted to let you know that not every frat goer is a horrible person and I wish there was more I could do to prove that.
+StoryOfNate "Fuckin Caitlin" =D
Oh my gosh. I bawled my eyes out. This was so empowering for me, a thirteen year old gay girl, and I found it to be SO relatable. Thank you for making this, I wish I would’ve found it sooner!
Awesome video, great rhyming. Also, I don't know how anyone could have said your hair is ugly - it's beautiful!
Hi5 for your avatar, acetastic person
ASEXUAL MASTER RACE!!!
+Kitty DorkDork same here
The asexual master race comment made my day.!!!!!
I have some spare for anywho who forgets their supply
from a guy in his early 40s who's been in a wheelchair all his life and judged on his appearance relentlessly even though those doing the judging don't even realize they're doing it......let me tell you this Ashley Mardell......You are gorgeous inside and out. You say what you mean and mean what you say and don't give a crap about the consequences. Keep on being you!
I as a 12 year old girl get asked all the time why I "dress like a lesbian" or get told all the time that I " could be pretty" and every time I ask how? its the same answer every time simply "change everything about myself" because " no one will love you if your unattractive". why is it that this imprinted into the minds of people so young? because even tho I am growing up in a more "accepting" generation im not being accepted. im just not being paid attention to not "accepted" and it breaks my heart that it is "normal" to do that. rant over. have a nice day! -Jenny
You're very articulate for a 12 year old. Hell I've known people in their 40's and above less articulate than you!
DeliciousPoison Thank you!:)
"No one Will Love you If you're unattractive" -Melanie Martinez
Jenny you sound like a very smart girl. I wish I had someone as inspirational as Ash to look up to when I was your age. Being who you are will bring you more happiness than trying to please other people, and when some does fall for you, they will be falling for the amazing person you are instead of someone you were trying to be. This is not what I did in middle school and high school. I completely changed, and became what people wanted me to become. I look back at that time of my life and I am ashamed at who I was pretending to be. Sorry for the long ranty/preachy post, it's just Ash's vid really affected me as did your post.
Unixorn oh mrs potato head..
Love this so much, and kudos to you for performing it in one take! Love that you're investing your immense creative energy in new forms and constantly pushing yourself to improve - the true meaning on a YOUTuber
PS LET'S CHILL - CHRISTMAS CHEER :D
+David Levitz also I just finished it and you look BEAUT with your hair down, but also I can only say that having the rest of the video behind it. This piece's ultimate takeaway is that you masterfully broke into a relatively unfamiliar form to share an important unique point of view you're passionate about and risked putting it into the world. You did a fantastic job, truly, and as always I cannot wait to see what comes next from your wonderful diamond in the rough of a channel
okay, I'm just gonna say it, you're beautiful.
I am ugly and I am proud. Patrick knew what was up
lmaoo
If you proud to be ugly then you are not ugly. Ugly is believing all the hatefully things people say at you.
Same 😁
SpongeBob
Melanie Rose You go girl/boy/everything in-between!
I know this comes from a place of strenght and maturity and maybe you already know it but i still wanna say it. This was very brave Ashley, i'm so proud of you on your journey and i wanna thank you for sharing it for all of us that are still strugglin', you just gave to me what your friend gave to you, you made me feel not alone, you made me feel that maybe all the shit i've been told and made feel like to the point of even my own thoughts repeating it to me, maybe all of that is wrong and i shouldn't have to fit, i shouldn't have to believe i'm suponed to get to a certain point to believe i am beautiful or i am succesful. Because that's what i do, everyday, i tell myself that maybe i'm not there yet but i will be, maybe one day i'll be able to look at myself and like what i see because i'll be beautiful. I'll stop myself here but thank you, and you ARE truly BEAUTIFUL the way you ARE, and i'm sorry that you ever had to go through that but i'm so happy that you are where you are now.
Okay, I actually cried to this, because you spoke some awesome truth and hit quite a few sensitive points that I'm still struggling with. Especially the part about looking too much like a lesbian. My mother has repeatedly pointed out to me that she is actually offended (and I am quoting her when I say "offended") by women who, according to her, "dress in a way that denies their femininity" as if by wearing a suit and tie and sporting a shaved head or a buzz cut means that you're no longer a woman. I've tried to understand her point so many times. We've even emailed about it (because any time I try talking it turns into a full blown argument and I wanted to really understand). However, it just feels like everything she's offended by is everything that I like and want to be. I want to be comfortable enough to cut my hair at some point. I like more muscle and broader shoulders. Hell, I even wish sometimes that my voice were a little deeper (so I can project a little better and not sound so quiet all the time) but that does not mean that I want to be a guy. I am a woman. I like being a woman. I like me. But my mom doesn't. And what sucks the most is that she doesn't even know it, because I'm too scared to tell her. But you've inspired me, Ashley. I may not be able to now, but eventually I'm going to be able to learn to accept me for me. Thank you so much for this video.
This was amazing
"missing out on your potential pretty " hit me hard damn
Shit, that one hit too close for comfort. Sadly. I wish no one had to go through these struggles. I'm sorry you had to. Thank you for sharing, for opening up to us, for trusting us. You are a beautiful human being and deserve all the good that is coming to you and more :)
(also damn. that writing. the inner rhymes and pace were so good. and i will never understand how you can memorise and then shoot these in one take. i have to say that the lack of cuts gives it a very raw and particular strength that it probably wouldn't have otherwise though. congratulations, ashley, you are one talented, hardworking cookie
Well... I'm crying. Two years later and here I am... listening to these words in a video made a while ago... about things that happened even longer ago... and being able to relate to it. I feel my heart sinking as the tears of finally having someone I so much admire, understand what I have been feeling for a long time. A person that I love to listen to and feel such deep emotions when hearing their voice... and is ten years older than me. Ten years and all the things that are mentioned here, are still true. It's heart breaking. Seeing how such actions and words have been affecting so many young girls (and boys) around the world for the longest time. I hadn't thought this deeply about the things people have told me concerning beauty, because I've been so used to hearing them since such a young age that they just became. My. Reality. Well now, I'm pretty sure they have become someone else's reality too and I just hope, from the bottom of my heart, with all my soul, that those people find someone to help them and open their eyes or just to let them know they are not alone. Just like Ash was to me.
You are so incredibly talented and beautiful.
Omg... I'm feeling exactly in the middle of this way of acception...
I'm just crying!😭
Ash, you're a very strong person
Confidence and pride in one's ugliness is the highest beauty.
Jesus. What a beautiful poem
By some weird, serendipitous and wonderful accident, I came across one of your videos recently. Ashley, I'm an old man now, but I remember how my good friend Ralph struggled with his journey. His dad was a deacon in the Baptist church in the small town where we were raised. It was a different time and a different reaction to anyone who ever thought of "coming out". Ralph was (and still is) a wonderful person, but just couldn't deal with the attitude's of the time and having majored in Foreign Language in college, decided to move to Germany to teach school. Long story short, he met the love of his life, Sanders, who was from Amsterdam, and they have been together now for 29 years. We stay in touch, but he still lives in Europe. In fact my wife and her aunt stayed a couple of nights with the two of them on a vacation a few years back. Anyway, I am so very proud of you and proud of Grace. You make me laugh and you make me cry. Thank the lord attitudes are changing. In closing, GIRL YOU ARE SOMETHING ELSE!!!! How the heck does Grace keep up with all of your energy??? Grace is cool as hell and you are an amazing talent. Blessings.....
I am a naturally really impatient person and when I see a video that's longer than 2 minutes I generally go ughhhhh but I could listen to this girl's poetry for three straight days with my eyes glued to the screen and love every second of it. So honest, so relatable, so perfectly worded and acted. What an amazing feeling it is: to have someone so amazingly illustrate some of your deepest, most private struggles and show you that you are not alone in your issues, you are not isolated, you are not different, that someone else gets it, in fact, a lot of someones do. Ashley is definitely not gonna read this, but THANK YOU. Thank you for using this amazing talent of yours to speak out on things that matter, for being brave enough to put yourself out there and shed light on things that aren't discussed, for sharing these personal experiences that make some of us feel a little less alone in the world. Thank you.
I mean, you look really beautiful with your hair up or down! ♥
+Chloé Jean Osmond (chloethejean) I agree. Beautiful inside and out :)
Wow. Just. Wow... Beautiful, Ashley ❤
I've seen a lot of moving vidoes, but this has been the best, most touching video I have seen thus far. Thank you so much for sharing these feelings, making me realize my own feelings, the exact same feelings. Thank you so much. You are so wonderful.
i come back and watch this every so often just to remind myself that even though growing up sucks, i could come out of it happy and successful and confident in ways that i never could've dreamed. what an incredible and inspirational video.
I cry every fucking time I watch this
Why are you not famous?! This is genius. Seriously. I love your videos (the content and editing / presentation is so well done!), love your adorable personality, creativity and incredibly clever and quick wit. I especially love seeing the beautiful relationship you have with your wonderful wife.
Wow Ashley this was beautiful, I'm crying ❤️💯👏🏻 Me and you share something, we both have lots of self confidence, but it took so long to be that way because of all the horrible things people say to us.. So many people hurt my feelings in middle school and I always listened to what they said about me, so for a while I had to be someone I was not because I was scared about what other people would think of me, but I soon came to the realization that their opinion on me didn't matter, I had to be myself and do what I do best now and not listen to them. So finally in late 7th and 8th grade I began to wear what I wanted and tell more and more people that I was in fact gay, and not give a damn what anyone said about me behind my back, and those people who are mean to me, and were mean to me won't even matter in the future
+カー三ブランドン she wears makeup, she isnt confident
+Everist Mister Just because she wears makeup doesn't mean she isn't confident in herself. I wear makeup and one day if I don't put it on I'm fine
カー三ブランドン Yes, yes it fucking does. If you wear makeup everyday, you arent confident in yourself.
People wear makeup to look better than they actually do. You only do that if you arent confident in yourself.
+Everist Mister Don't come for me. Carry on with your life. Goodbye 👋🏻
+Everist Mister Makeup is not always about covering up, it's about expressing yourself, for many it is about discovering there own sense of style, it is also about choice. Whether or not you agree with that choice is irrelevant. If want to talk about confidence, the problem is not about the people who lack it, the problem is with people like you who feel the need to criticize others for there own choices. People are doing there own thing, so move along and stop being a bully!
This video made me smile so much and actually amazingly made me laugh. This has given my insecure self something to think about and actually be proud of. Cause I get hate from my class mates and family all the time about how I look and it kills me. Thank you so much for this video. I finally have a perfect reason to smile about who I am
omg you are so amazing. I literally have no words. I've been struggling with image, makeup, weight issues, and wearing my hair in a bun since sixth grade too! literally....everything you said, is me. so so beautifully said.
That's it. Tired of going back and forth and feeling conflicted and unhappy, I'm cutting my hair tomorrow. Thanks Ashley, you've done it again you impressive human :)
+Colleen d'Alelio Short hair is the best! Never going back! Have fun!!! :D
+DreamKit thanks! Super excited! :)
You're gonna love it!! I just recently chopped off 13 inches and I feel amazing
+Grace Bej just did it this morning and I love it:)
Did, you just...
Rap for an entire video?
Bravo
nah, slam poetry
its beautiful and crazily dramatic in a way
I don't have the right words to describe how this effected me. I was shocked, truly and completely, to hear this come from someone I have thought of as beautiful since I started watching this channel. I could hardly believe my ears, but as I listened I realized how much I have been changing myself for other's preferences. By the end, I was crying and decided I don't need to be beautiful for anyone but me. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
ur curly untamable hair is so darn adorable down I love it 😍
ashley, you are beautiful! fully and wholly.
this poem is so good..
I'm proud of you for being honest like this!
I cried. I literally did. I feel you. That poem had so much power in it. If only people were smart and enlightened enough to appreciate what lies under the physical. But then again, you don't need the approval of other people to be happy.
your hair is beautiful!!!
Been really getting into spoken word lately. This is awesome.
And just getting into what you said about the comment you heard as a young girl "if you tried you could be pretty" I heard a seventy year old woman say that to her thirty year old nurse at work the other day. The sheer stupidity and comments from strangers never end. Sixth grade never ends.
+angelpaw namess if you haven't heard of George Watsky, he has some really good spoken word, while also having some good music. If you're looking for something more meaningful, I recommend Tiny Glowing Screens Pt. 2. If you want something funny, I recommend S is for Lisp or Leopards and Horseshoes. His music is also good too, you can really see how influenced he is by spoken word.
+YAOES beautiful. Thank you., I will certainly check all of these out and I appreciate you taking the time to share them.
+angelpaw namess No problem! I'be been looking for people to show his content to. None of my IRL friends like spoken word and it makes me sad...
Alshley, thank you. U re so inspiring. I love all ur videos they are always so intelligent and so sincere but this one especially. You made me realize how face and shallow some of my "friends" are. I never wear makeup. They always say "why don you wear makeup? You would look so pretty with it". I always wear my hair in a bun, every single day. Most of the people I know don't know what I look like with my hair down. They always tell me "why do u always wear your hair up? U would look good with it down" and I am so done hearing this...all the time. So thank you, Ashley
You have inspired me. I am a sixth grader who once thought that I needed to be pretty to fit in. But I don't. If I just show people who I am I might finally find the right friends. And I might be the only Lesbian in my school or the only one with the courage to show people. But I want to help others now.
Thank you. For telling us this story. It helped me so much.
I cried. This was so inspiring. Thank you so much Ashley.
It's been years since I first saw this video. It took me listening to it every day, over and over for hours on end before I truly understood the entirety of everything being said.
I rediscovered this video in Chemestry today and was once again taken aback by the beauty of these words.
Thanks for helping me understand what beauty really is.
This is beautiful. And important.
this. was beautiful.
and all in one take?
damn.
i applaud you~
Beautiful poem from a beautiful person. You are not alone in these feelings and it is wonderful to hear you speak about healing and growing as a person. Lots of respect for putting yourself out there.
You just changed my life. This was incredible. I need you to know (even if you completely ignore/never notice this comment) that you have just empowered a thirteen year old girl to ignore the kaitlyns and not worry about being pretty, rather just being happy, healthy, and god damn proud. Thank you so much ❤️
This is how I feel right now. I just wrote a comment like that. I hope your life as been going wonderful and I'm giving you, Kasey, a friendly reminder that you are beautiful and that you are loved. Maybe you don't hear it often, but you are loved by so many people, and I hope one of them is you!
It’s so weird watching Ash when their hair was long
I KNOW!!!! And seeing comments calling them Ashley cuz I’m so used to “Ash.”
idek how many times ive watched this anymore... this is literally one of my favorite videos... you have no idea how much you have helped me... im so sorry that you had to go through this though... i wish that nobody has to go through anything like this... btw i think you are so fucking gorgeous, and your hair is so shiny and beautiful... ily!!
You are so beautiful . Short hair , long hair or even if you had no hair . I mean no offense or to step over any boundaries but you most certainly are beautiful inside and out . We are all put into the boxes when we come into this world . Boxes we never choose , the world they just put use there . It is admirable and much appreciated when someone so kind yet humble such as yourself has the courage to say what is so hard to the rest of us to even muster the words. Thank you for sharing .:)
"Untamable hair" that made me laugh bc I'm black lol but I LOVE this video. It's really important for people to unlearn these deeply internalized beauty standards
you are such an inspiration to me. this really taught me to be me not what other people think I should be. this video made my cry tears of joy, tears of acceptance.thank you
Ashley, I have been watching TH-cam for many years and followed dozens upon dozens of vlogs. Your channel, however, is the most inspirational I have encountered. Every single one of your videos has so much wisdom in it; so much sincerity and so much love. I think you are a truly beautiful person, and I thank you for reminding me of the things that matter in my life. Thank you so very much.
Very sad, extremely beautiful and agonizingly relevant in society today .
Keep it up Ash (Alright if I call you Ash?)!
Love your channel. Gives me strength!
this made me cry, I've struggled with not feeling good enough and not worthy of love, but you're totally right, it's a process and I have a lot to learn. The poem was beautiful, you're really talented. Thank you Ashley
this is me. I literally cried because I can't put my hair down without doing something to it (maybe 3 times a year) in the last 3 years or so I mostly do braids or buns because ponytails just aren't enough to contain my hair..... thank you.
this girl has got to go on TED. would make regionals at least
this poem was freaking amazing u r gorgeous hair up, down or short. i love ur hats and bowties and everything cuz i think its awesome and u rock them
Stop it Ashley, you're fucking beautiful.
Am I the only one who FREAKING loves her hair!
I cried a little throughout this whole poem, but I lost it when you pulled your hair down. To see the culmination of someone's insecurities whisked away in a hair flip was truly amazing.
Keep it ugly
Anyone get the refrence
YOUR NAME AND PROFILE PIC OH MY
+TwentyØneCrybabiesPhanick!AtTheFallØu t omg free YES YOUR NAME AND STUFF TO HAHA XD FREN |-/
+Heavy dirty message man Trash før twenty øne piløts frEn |-/
+TwentyØneCrybabiesPhanick!AtTheFallØu t hEllO
YOUR NAME MADE ME SMILE
Wow, just wow. I loved this video so much and I think that you've reached every viewer with your poem. Gosh, I relate to this on so many levels especially the part where you mentioned that someone's worth is determined by the amount of people that wanna "bang" you. Personally, I've never dated or had a romantic relationship in my life and recently turning 18 I thought that there must be something wrong with me. Am I not worthy of love? Am I not thin or confident enough to be considered attractive? Am I not beautiful? There are times were I try to "look pretty" but as you said it feels like putting on a costume. I'm on the road in order to dress and feel comfortable for me. To accept my body on how it is because it's the only one I got. Thank you so much for this video
+purplemockingjayeyes I feel the same way, I´m 23 years old and men just ignore.
man the number of times I've heard things ending with "if you only tried to" hurts. You could be skinny if you tried, you could smile if you tried, you could be beautiful if you tried.. I know how you feel Ash. This hits close to home
Okay, here we go...
I'm sure that you probably don't need to hear from me on a topic like this, one that's so deeply personal, but truth be told, I originally found your channel because we live in the same city and I've been a passive casual observer for quite some time.
As your fairly basic caucasian, CIS gendered, straight dude, I recognize that I probably fall outside of your general demographic and that my 'input' is probably not what you're looking for , but with all that being said, I think that you do incredible things for a lot of people. While I don't know if this will mean anything at all to you, I think that you're a beautiful woman both physically and spiritually and you do this world a big favor by just being in it. You're also an excellent representation of why our city is so amazing and while you're not a 'locally-centric' blogger, you still represent well. While that all might just be my personal opinion on the matter (although I'm sure many of your subscribers will probably agree with me to some extent) I think that you deserve to be told.
Just keep up all the amazing work that you do and know that your support comes form more walks of life than maybe you realize.
P.S.
I've actually seen you out and about a handful of times at a coffee shop that I frequently blog out of and I've wanted to tell you that I love your work in person, however,I tend to be a bit shy and I'm never one to infringe on someone's work space! :)
+Keane A (FoodStoned) Also, the poem was incredibly well done!
I'm extremely tall.
I'm extremely ugly.
I'm extremely annoying.
I'm extremely fat.
But. I guess that's just how I was made.
Can't change the fact that no one will find my attractive.
Or that no boy will like me.
Or that I'm not pretty.
I just have to keep my grades up..
And I guess that's all that matters.
: )
What matters is that you like yourself.
The Awkward Side of TH-cam i wish I was tall
everyone is beautiful in their own way
you have good qualities too
you just need to find them
you will be loved, found attractive and many people will find you interesting, not anoying
This video is probably my favorite video on the internet. I come back to it all the time and it has inspired me so much and also introduced me to slam poetry. Thank you for this Ashley.
I appreciate how good you are at writing poetry. I loved it. Round of applause.
that slam poetry rocked. I can relate 100%.
I absolutely love you! you have helped me with understanding the world, helped me identify why i'm depressed, and gave me some happy moments when things weren't so... yellow. So thank you so much Ash.
You are so amazing...
I'm so jealous of how brave you are, I wish I were like you.
Ashley is the most beautiful person I've ever seen of any sex or gender. Inside and out!! You inspire us all!! Your bullies are, in a word or three...
*VERY, VERY WRONG!!*
I recently found your TH-cam channel, and all your videos make me so happy and emotional. and oh my god your eyes! your face! your hair! your body! I'm in love with all your features I'm not kidding! I haven't seen a human being so beautiful and it pains me to see how such a wonderful person has went through so much hardships. you deserve all the love in the world!!!
I love this video so much. I never felt beautiful until I fell in love with being ugly.
This was absolutely beautiful. You go girl! Show yourself to the world and change it one person at a time!
I know this was awhile ago but wow!! I was so moved by that. Why can't people just accept who you are? But they don't they just accuse and point fingers at us. At me. Thank you ash. this helped me
Omg that was the most inspirational video I have ever witnessed
Nobody has ever called be beautiful, or pretty. Am I the only one? 😪😳
no....
You're beautiful!
sadly, no...
same here, and when someone says that it seems more pushed like "I have to say they're beautiful"
ye, my hair seems to be a defining trait. Strangers stop on the street and compliment it (red and wavy/untamable) but never me because I am not :)
wont lie i am crying a bit now because my story relates alil too close to this for comfort. its something i still struggle with and its soemthing im trying to change. i try to see my stretch marks as tiger stripes but its still hard when everyone tells you you could be better. thank you so much for posting this bc this is just another reminder that fuck all matters about others opinions of myself. thank you and thank you for your strength and your story :)
You are very cute and this poem nearly made me cry!
Charlie K same i WaS one the verge of tears
gay and edgy me too
I WAS WAITING FOR THIS POEM SINCE YOU FIRST TALKED ABOUT IT
TOTALLY WORTH WAITING
sorry for the caps
I feel so proud of you every time I watch this video and you pull your hair out of your braid. You inspire me.
ALSO, YOU AND YOUR HAIR AND YOUR SKIN AND YOUR CLOTHES ARE ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS
I find her beautiful. And cute as hell.
no matter what.
I've seen this video a hundred times and every single time it makes me feel so much better about myself and makes me feel so proud of you and I just want to thank you so so much for this
Beauty is subjective. And i believe that one day we won't have those clichés about how a girl should be to be beautiful. One day the fact to just be yourself will open people eyes on what real beauty is.. This is what everyone have to lern , not trying to be like everybody else makes you beautiful, to try to feel comfortable in your clothes and to be yourself make you a beautiful person.