Participate

Send your own Operation Beautiful Note to Caitlin at OperationBeautiful@gmail.com, and it will be posted on the site. If you have a blog, be sure to include a link!  It takes about three weeks for a photograph to show up on the site, so be patient! :)

 

Write a motivating note on a post it and put it up in a public place– such as on a bathroom mirror, in the gym locker room, or even on a random car’s windshield.  If you want, you can write the web address www.OperationBeautiful.com on the bottom so other women can find the site!

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If you send me your photo, it becomes the property of Operation Beautiful and may be used on the site or in other media.

 

PLEASE RESPECT THE OPERATION BEAUTIFUL TRADEMARK.  For legal reasons, Operation Beautiful cannot endorse other sites that are "Chapters" of Operation Beautiful. Thank you.

{ 1747 comments… read them below or add one }

Catriona September 6, 2010 at 3:49 pm

I’ve been suffering from low self esteem for most of my life & anxiety and it’s not uncommon for me to go days without food and lock myself away but I would like to say that this has inspired me to be happy and be healthy. This makes me feel important, and makes me smile. I cannot describe how amazed I am and how amazing this whole project is.
<3

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Kimma September 9, 2010 at 5:37 pm

that is amazing, you may also want to look into volunteer with a challenge day group if they have one that will go to your area you can find out by going to there web site if you want that info you can email me, that would be great for you too… i did it and it has worked wonders for me… just a thought though.
good luck and keep moving forward :) BTW you are beautiful…

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Chelsea September 21, 2010 at 1:58 am

Hey Kimma!

I would love more information about a challenge day group? If you could send it to me when you have time that would be fantastic.

My email is ceturgeon@crimson.ua.edu

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savannah eby September 7, 2010 at 8:27 pm

this is such an awesome idea for teenage girls with low self esteem! so my sister and i are going to start slipping notes in girls lockers at school so they know that they are beautiful too!!!!!
join us!

<3/ Savannah & Savanah

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Lily September 12, 2010 at 1:30 am

That is what I am going to do as well! I’m going to put them in my friends lockers (friends who always talk about body-image, etc). I’m also going to put them in the bathrooms!
I can’t wait to see people’s faces ;)

<3 Lily
~~You are beautiful~~

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Da October 2, 2010 at 9:22 am

A friend of mine had the idea of putting “objects in mirror are pritter than they appear,” a play on “objects in the mirror are closer than they appear” on bathroom mirrors around our hall. I’m going to do it around the university I go to.

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Kat September 12, 2010 at 1:41 pm

yes it is, i have a hard time accpeting me ofr me until i found this note in my math book…i was surprised. it took me aback, but then i toook it and put it in my binder, and it didnt start to bother me until i wondered, what is this movement? and now i know its for teens with low self esteem. i am soo glad i check this website out!!

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Jasmine September 7, 2010 at 8:50 pm

I saw a sign that said “You’re gorgeous!” on the bathroom stall and it made my day. This is an awesome website! I want to post as many notes as possible so women could feel like I felt.

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Kayla September 8, 2010 at 12:21 pm

I work in Boston, and on my train ride home recently I sat in a seat that had written on it “You are Beautiful … Operationbeautiful.com” … so that is what inspired me to check out this website… such an awesome idea!

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Jennifer September 8, 2010 at 11:17 pm

I think this website is GREAT! The work that you are doing is amazing. I know so many young women that are so unhappy with their body images and have low self-esteem. They always find something wrong with themselves and something to fix. These girls are all pretty. . . but yet, they are unhappy. I have accepted that I am the way I am. I am curvy. I am beautiful. I am loved. and I love myself. I wish more people felt this way. So keep up the work! I’ve wanting to do something like this for awhile. I’m going to find some post-it notes!

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Paulette September 9, 2010 at 12:18 am

Just stopped by to say that I think this site is AWESOME!! My daughter and I love it and my daughter has already started leaving notes in washrooms and public places with the website name! Now I just gotta start! I sent a link to one of my nieces too and she said she’s gonna start too … what great esteem boosters we can be! Great idea, Caitlin!

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Erin September 10, 2010 at 4:18 am

hey I was having a bad day at work, felt like no one appreciated me. And then I found one of these notes in a bathroom stall. It made my day. Although part of my job is to clean the bathroom, I left the note. I hope others will find it as affirming as I did.

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Danielle September 11, 2010 at 12:51 am

I have really low self esteem, I hate myself so much and I want to chage that but don’t know how. Today when I found this sticky note in my bathroom at school it made me smile from the inside out. I need help I think I really do..

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admin September 11, 2010 at 11:56 am

If you visit NEDA’s (National Eating Disorder) website, they have links how you can get help. Speaking to someone at a hotline in confidentiality maybe exactly what you need.

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Shannon September 18, 2010 at 10:26 am

Danielle, First of all let’s start with your beautiful name…Danielle…Thas is a strong and amazing name! There is a famous writer by the name of Danielle Steel, there has been 6 Hurricane’s named Danielle, including one that just occured this year in August it was 10 days long and On August 27, Danielle strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane, becoming the first major hurricane of the season, and further strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane luckily she did not do any damage she was just out in the ocean twirling around…kinda like you are right now. I want to tell you something Danielle, YOU ARE STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL! And Every morning when you wake up to face a new day say those words outloud and when you face this fear of hating yourself before you dwell on self hate just smile and say I am BEAUTIFUL AND STRONG I LVOE MYSELF. Because you have to Love yourself before anyone else will Love you….Your name is Hebrew…and it means “God is my judge”
On the show “America’s Next Top Model” a woman by the name of Danielle WON IT!!! here’s the story….( Ultimately, Danielle’s presence edged out over Joanie’s, and Danielle was revealed as the winner of America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 6. Final two: Danielle Evans & Joanie Dodds) So you see you have a POWERFUL BEAUTIFUL NAME AND I BET you ARE JUST A POWERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL AS YOUR NAME =) everyone is dissatisfied with what they see in the mirror but mirrors are ugly anyways it’s what goes on inside your body that brings the beauty outside and if can find that inner beauty and always tell yourself that you are beautiful and be happy because you are you and no one else can be you no matter how hard they try..you are unique and special and i hope you are always smiling because U R BEAUTIFUL especially when you =) SMILE (=

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Kacie September 11, 2010 at 8:59 pm

This is such an awesome idea! It is so sad that our society today puts such a focus on the outer beauty and relative perfection that we can or cannot achieve. What in the world does it matter that I look different and imperfect next to someone else? I may not like all my flaws, but they are MINE. I am an individual and I love myself (flaws included!). We are strong and beautiful women :) Lets keep reminding each other of this.

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Star September 12, 2010 at 2:00 am

I have always had body image issues and have always believed my two sisters were prettier than I was. I came across the operation beautiful article in Glamour and was moved. I put my first note up and was extremely happy. Today, I walked around my college campus putting post-it notes in the girls bathroom, including the one on my floor. I looked a few hours later and there were three more sticky notes saying thank you and other encouraging things. There is even a post-it pad in the bathroom for other girls to write notes. Thank you so much for thinking of this, it has made my last few days wonderful!

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Danielle September 12, 2010 at 10:53 am

I read about Operation Beautiful in a magazine recently and decided it something I wanted to try. I’m a teacher in PA and one the first day of school I put up notes in all of the faculty bathrooms. I posted two notes- “You are Fabulous! Have a great day!” & ” Smile! You do a great job everyday!” I also put a note up on my Principal and guidance counselor’s desks as well. No one knew I did it except for a few people. It was awesome! Everyone loved it! It made the first day of sucess an even bigger success and everyone felt great!! The principal said everyone was asking all day who did and how wonderful it was. I can’t wait to do it again soon!

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CarinaTK September 12, 2010 at 6:50 pm

Going to make a little note in Norwegian and hang it on the meetingroom at the nursinghome where I work so every woman there see it! :)

they have a little training thing at the nursinghome for us nurses, you even have to pay for it, then you write if you walked, jogged or drove to work that day, I think it’s nothing they should think about how people got to work, it’s stupid and makes people be ashamed of themself if they drove one day..

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Andrea September 14, 2010 at 6:21 pm

I’ve been having a rough week and I saw a post-it with “you are so beautiful” written on it today in the bathroom at school. It brightened my day and helped me remember that no matter what happens, I am a beautiful young woman inside and out.

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Kristin September 14, 2010 at 7:28 pm

I walked into the girls bathroom at my school today. I was having an awful day. I couldn’t concentrate or think at all during class. But then when I walked out of the stall to wash my hands, I looked in the mirror and saw one of the post-it notes from operationbeautiful.com and it instantly just made my day. It a great way to make people feel better expecially when it’s in a mirror because most girls look in the mirror and hate what they see. But with a little note, it can make them smile and feel better. I think this project is absolutely amazing and I think that my friends and I might try to help. :)

& Thanks to whoever put that note up. :D

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sara September 14, 2010 at 10:32 pm

this is such a amazing wedsite. alot of times in my l,ife i have felt bad about my body image, but all of this changes it all. i am beatiful the way i am. inside and out.

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Jennifer Scroggins September 14, 2010 at 10:57 pm

I am so excited to start doing this!

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Shawn Marie September 15, 2010 at 12:04 pm

I first read Caitlin’s story in a First magazine while visiting my Grandmother on a lunch break from work. Your Story was inspiring and compelling, and so I had to check out the website. I work in the Human Services field, and often feel that many of the individuals I meet in my line of work, just need some encouragement, and up lifting messages, and words of encouragement. However, I have failed to see random acts of kindness and encouragement like these on your site. This inspired me grab a post it pad and write several different messages in Bold and Bright markers on each sheet along with your web site. I now carry them in my purse, and post them in different places, whenever and wherever I feel compelled, I hope that at least one person will enjoy the comforts of my words

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Dr. Susie September 15, 2010 at 3:56 pm

I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders in Cincinnati, OH. One of my patients came in today and enlightened me of this website/project! I am THRILLED to see this!!! I am planning to use this as an assignment for my Tuesday night eating disorder group girls!
I cannot thank you enough for being as passionate as I am to help our society learn that they are so much more than they (think) they see in the mirror.
If there is ANYTHING I can do to help with this site, or to get the word out, or whatever, please let me know.
Am I able to put your link into my website to direct others here?
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping so many people!!!
Dr. Susie

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admin September 15, 2010 at 9:41 pm

Emailed you!

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ALI September 15, 2010 at 9:40 pm

omg these are all over the mirrors at cy fair highschooL!! they are so cute :)

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Keshia September 17, 2010 at 3:57 pm

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL YES U!!!!,MAGNIFICENT,SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER FORGET THAT

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Brenda September 17, 2010 at 5:21 pm

Me encanta la mision, estoy segura que la autoestima personal inicia de uno mismo y no se basa solo en lo estetico, asi que para ser bella hay que creerlo me apunto a la operation beatiful en español en mi ciudad ERES HERMOSA E INCREIBLE!!!! Saludos desde Chih Mexico

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Karina September 17, 2010 at 6:18 pm

Hi! I’m from Mexico and I’m 14 years old.
I love this page, I think that be possitive, and love yourself is the greatest thing people can do for themselves,more than for someone else.
Congratulations for this website, I’ll send you a note I did later.
PEACE

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Sonia Sisson September 18, 2010 at 12:18 am

my best friend seen your post and article in a magazine as soon as i got to her house today she should me the article because i have post it notes all over my house. I love the idea of putting them in public places. Great thinking I hope someday i find one and I will defiantly be posting one soon.

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Julissa September 18, 2010 at 3:11 pm

i love this website! it tells people to stop thinking negative about themself! many people need to start thinking on whats on the inside!

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Megan September 18, 2010 at 11:54 pm

Your beautiful just the way you are. ~yes you~

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Ash September 19, 2010 at 1:33 am

I would just like to say that I’ve recently come around to this beautiful way of thinking, having recently come out of severe anxiety and depression. Though I definitely agree with your mission statement, and I actually started doing this months ago (I found your blog today via GivesMeHope.com), I find that my efforts are often unappreciated. Not that it’s what I’m looking for, but I wish people would take my little notes seriously, and not just make fun of them. My notes have been vandalized, scrutinized or ignored. Though some people take note, and I like to think that people’s way of thinking has changed because of them… The ones I leave at school, all around the place seem to have little or no effect. I find it hard to keep motivated, to continue to compliment and praise others when it seems I’m only giving myself more reason to doubt myself. Your thoughts?

I really do appreciate and love the message you’re sending to everyone. I admire your strength and courage to flaunt your mission statement to the world, to do what makes you happy – making others happy. Thankyou

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admin September 19, 2010 at 10:33 am

i think that you really don’t know how inspiring the notes can be! sometimes people won’t say anything but that doesnt mean they aren’t impacted. keep going! even if one person is impacted you have done your job!

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Rhonda September 19, 2010 at 9:31 am

I used to be made fun of when I was a kid in school because I was “too skinny and was bow legged.” Also, they made fun of my clothes because we were poor and couldn’t afford much.

Later in life, after I had six children my X husband and his family made fun of my body because it had aged and put on weight. I was bearly over 200 lbs. and my mother in law told me her son was going to divorce me be “your fat.” And he did. Before he did I would starve myself to try to get thin just so he would love me, but nothing worked and I couldn’t loose the weight. I suggested weight watchers and a tummy tuck after I had my babies and he said, “No, I’d rather just divorce you and not waste the money.” I was devistated. But you know what, such hateful, cruel, narrowminded, blind, arrogant, and uneducated people aren’t worth two seconds of my time!!!! I’m through with dieting and starving myself so others will accept me. There is NOTHING wrong with my body, my appearance, or my personality. I AM a beautiful person inside and out even though I have scars from chldbearing and extra fat on my body that may or may not go away. It doesn’t matter. I am still beautiful and I will surround myself with possitive accepting non hateful and nonjudgement people so I will be encouraged in my goal of accepting my body the way it looks right here and now!!!

Rhonda

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admin September 19, 2010 at 10:31 am

you are awesome. enough said!!!!!!!!

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Nancy S September 19, 2010 at 10:25 pm

Children change our bodies in ways that society doesn’t accept. It is just because society doesn’t love children the way we do. Your six beautiful children all love and appreciate you for who you are. And you know that they are the only ones that matter. Keep up the great attitude. :)

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Sierra Curtis September 19, 2010 at 5:16 pm

I don’t have a problem with fat talk i just have a awfully low self esteem. I let what people might think about me or say about me change what i want to do in my life. I want to be able to do what I want to do in life and not let it bother me what others think. I don’t think I am pretty inside or on the out and most of the time I just want to burst out in tears because of all the things i keep inside that I let bother me. =[ But reading things like the notes you have on your website makes me feel better about my self esteem.

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Veronica September 19, 2010 at 6:30 pm

now with the email i have the old one and i notice u have the new one up can people still send u notes through the other and this one?

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admin September 19, 2010 at 10:44 pm

you can send it to either email – it all goes to the same place!

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Nancy S September 19, 2010 at 10:22 pm

I’ve never struggled with self esteem because I tell myself that I’m hot (not beautiful but that works too!) all the time. Anytime someone makes any kind of critical remark that hurts, I usually retort back with, ‘Yeah, well I’m hot.’ I may or may not be according to other people’s standards, but it doesn’t matter to me. To me, I’m hot and I love that someone out there has decided to let the women of the world know that inside and out, we are all hotties.
(By the way, I met your dad on the plane to Texas the other day. He’s a proud Papa and wants you to know he said hi.)

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admin September 19, 2010 at 10:44 pm

Dad rules!

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Vanessa September 20, 2010 at 8:19 pm

i think that everyone who is posting these notes are SAVING LIVES. I’m planning to leave a note in every bathroom in my school. I’m hoping i change lives like everyone that has posted at least one note. Thank you for inspiring me to become a better person! <3

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Savannah September 21, 2010 at 3:55 pm

I was having a rough day today, but it all changed when I walked into the bathroom on my college campus. Someone had left a post-it note telling me that I was beautiful. This is an amazing project, and I fully intend on participating. Thank you for helping my bad day get better. You make a difference.

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lisa September 21, 2010 at 9:03 pm

i saw a note in the bathroom just before on the mirror and then a minute later i found out it was my friend who put it there. she told me to go to this site (:

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Jessie September 22, 2010 at 8:59 pm

I was really unhappy with how I looked, and when I went to my high school, I saw a post-it on EVERY (that’s 4500!) locker with a personalized post-it saying how awesome/pretty/handsome were. Same with all the washrooms.
It went on for about a week, and then I found out who it was–a ninth grader who overheard people talking about their looks. She made me smile, and it breaks my heart she was transferred, but now she can spread the happiness everywhere.

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Wanda September 23, 2010 at 1:04 am

Operation Beautiful has truly inspired me! Ever since I first heard of it a few days ago, I have been leaving as many notes as I can – at the library, parking lots and two at the Corpus Christi International Airport last night. Just the act of doing this has made me feel wonderful, myself. What an inspired idea!

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Terri September 24, 2010 at 3:23 pm

I put sticky notes in all the library books that I return. Some say “you are beautiful” and others just say nice things to uplift people.

I hope to find one someday in a book that I take out!

: )

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Natalie September 25, 2010 at 6:05 pm

I first saw one in the bathroom mirrors in middle school, I wish I knew who wrote them so I can thank them! It’s a wonderful idea, and it really does help.

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Nikki Edwards September 27, 2010 at 1:39 pm

I read about this site in an article in First For Women magazine. What a brilliant idea! I am a flight attendant and travel all over! I plan on joining in on this. Thank you for sharing and inspiring everyone to participate! I love it!

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Abi September 27, 2010 at 8:59 pm

Hi, I’´m from Mexico and I first heard about the site a week a go in a T.V. show…& inmediatly i was totally inspired…i really want to be part of thiis ’cause i think this is an exellent idea! i am really thankfull with Caitlin because now i know what i can do to make other girls feel good with themselves =D
THANK YOU CAITLIN! ^.^

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Lynsey September 28, 2010 at 3:27 pm

I love this site!! I feel unhappy with myself a lot of the time and when i found this site it made me smile!!
I just wanna say that I’m gonna be putting notes up around my college campus as i want others to feel good about themselves too!
Thank you! ^.^

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Brittany September 28, 2010 at 10:31 pm

I found this website in a magazine today while I was at the dermatologist office and I am going to leave a sticky note in the teacher’s workroom restroom tomorrow at some point during the day. Then when the teacher’s go in there it will surprise them. I send “Good morning. Have a great (insert day here)” every morning before work to all the people in my phone. I have had several people send me messages back saying it makes them smile. Today I didn’t send anyone a message and someone texted me and said “no good morning message. :( ” I didn’t know it meant so much but i guess it does. So I hope to be more anonymous in encouraging people this way!

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Nina September 30, 2010 at 1:22 pm

The first note I saw was in a fitting room at my favorite store. It said, “You are Beautiful.”

It made my day and I even showed my best friend who was with me. I have thought about this ever since!!! Thanks to whoever that was, for posting that note!! I’m always struggling with the way I look, so that realy made me happy to see that note!!

~Nina

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Lara September 30, 2010 at 6:54 pm

You are changing the world.

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Veronica October 2, 2010 at 7:06 pm

I am a 13 year old girl and this website changed my life! Thank you so much operation beautiful! You are amazing!

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Cassie October 4, 2010 at 12:25 am

I work for a big retail chain and some days it can be so hard to be there and feel like I can continue to work. One of the ladies at work the cleans the bathrooms has started collecting the sticky notes that she finds on the restroom mirrors and putting them on a bulletin board that everyone can see when they walk by.My favorite? “This too shall pass.” Sometimes it’s good to be reminded that although today might be horrible tomorrow is a new day and it will be amazing. Just like I am!

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Sandra October 4, 2010 at 10:44 am

I’ve been overweight my entire life. I’ve been on diets. I’ve lost weight. I’ve gained more bak. I have never felt good about myself except for about a week when I got down to a super skinny me – which lasted just a short time until I started gaining it back. I don’t like to look in the mirror. I feel ashamed and embarrassed of myself. I don’t even like to be hugged as I think the other person is feeling all the extra padding and getting grossed out. I picked up Operation Beautiful by accident at the bookstore this weekend. It was in the wrong spot and I grabbed the book. I love the message and took my stumbling upon it as a sign. I hope it can help me as I’m sure it has helped others. So here we go…my first attempt at this:
“You’re beautiful..inside and out” That goes for all of YOU and ME TOO!

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Jennifer October 4, 2010 at 6:26 pm

I was having a bad day- my hair was frizzy and I just had bad self esteem that day, my quiz hadn’t gone great, etc. I went into the bathroom to see a bright, colorful note that basically said how beautiful, smart, loveable, special and unique (and a few more kind adjectives) the girl reading this was. It made such a difference! I just wanted to say, let’s stop judging and start loving ourselves. We can be healthy, special, and lovely, even if we aren’t model-thin. God made us this way, in His image, because He cared and still cares. Who are we to disagree with Him? Find something you’re passionate about and stick with it. Don’t let others bring you down. In the morning, say one thing you wouldn’t change about yourself. Thank you, operationbeautiful.com!

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sydnie White October 4, 2010 at 9:57 pm

im a 15 year-old and i know how this is. A lot of you are saying how do you know you are only a teenager. But all of my frends insist they are fat of not toned enough or just plain out ugly. I do it too. Now im done with it….it is time to believe WE ARE BEAUTIFUL!

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Jennifer Brown October 5, 2010 at 1:35 am

So recently in the restrooms at school someone has been posting encouraging things to girls right in front of the toilet. It changes every week sometimes every day but it makes us feel awkward at first (I mean your in the restroom, come on.) but then I think some of the girls take it to heart. Just wanted to share.
:)
Jennifer

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Katherine Wells October 5, 2010 at 11:13 am

I just started this in my college bathroom! I think there are problems about self image here at school and so now I am going to write notes and put them on the mirrors in our big bathrooms! Hopefully I will cheer someone up!

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