Someone asked me once, not long after I announced my plans to write Perfectly Imperfect, how much of this book was really ‘personal’. I know this person has seen pictures of me, so I couldn’t understand how someone would question whether I had faced body issues of my own.
I wish I could remember where this comment came from, but to be honest, I kind of blocked it out. It’s hard enough for an author to put just tiny little grains of themselves – their lives – into a book. Snippets of the truth they’ve picked up on roads traveled. But to put 100% of your thoughts and feelings, more than a boatload of grains of themselves, that couldn’t ever be understood by just a few words.
I remember in elementary school being the chubby girl. I didn’t understand the thoughts in my head at the time because I was still a kid. But I remember hating the body I had. Middle school, more of the same, but then I understood. I used my humor to hide my hurt when someone would joke about me. I remember having this stupid little notebook called ‘chub’. For the longest time, that was my nickname and I hated it. But I still smile on the outside, even if a little part of me was forever scarred. High school was my hardest mentally. By the time I was fifteen I was hardly eating. I was careful, you better believe it, but a few close friends saw. All that ‘chub’ was gone and instead of feeling amazing about myself, my confidence was even worse. At my lowest, around 16-18 years old, I was shopping in the girls sections because I was THAT small. But to me, all I saw was ‘chub’.
I met my husband a few months before I turned 18 and even though it wasn’t an easy road, I got better. He didn’t and still doesn’t care what I look like. I’ll spare you the details on how I got to where I am, but know, Willow was written by someone that didn’t need to research her mindset because she lived it. I still have low days. Some are so bad I can’t even look in the mirror. I’m still learning to completely love ME, but ever day I’m closer.
I think it’s important for everyone to remember, when you judge others for what you see on the outside, you’re missing the beauty they hold within.
Willow is me.
I am Willow.
You are Willow.
Your sister, daughter, mother, friends … is Willow.
She lives inside of all of us.
It’s my hope, that through her story, you’re able to find something that you need in order to look in the mirror and smile.
This book is for you. I might have thought it was for me and in a sense, it was, but now that I’ve finished and realized just how powerful Willow, Kane and their story is, I know it’s never been for me. I didn’t share my story for sympathy, but instead with the hopes that someone that needs to hear Willow’s thoughts, see her heal, and watch her soar…can take a little of that and see just how perfectly imperfect you really are.
Am I scared to release something so personal? Absolutely. Am I nervous? You betcha. Am I ready? Without one second of doubt.
I’m not perfect, I never will be, but my imperfections make me who I am today.
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I haven’t read Perfectly Imperfect yet but I already know #iAmWillow and I thank you in advance for writing your/mine/all of our story. You are truly a beautiful person and your physical beauty is only surpassed by the beauty of your soul. Love you!
Harper you’re beautiful inside and out. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I can’t wait to read Perfectly Imperfect. I know it is going to an amazing story of courage.
You are stunning and kind. I met you at Book Bash here in Orlando before I had read any of your work and I was laughing with you over Alphas do it better condoms within minutes I was sold. I rushed home and devoured all that you had written up to that point and you are first in line on my TBR with any of your new releases. You are beautiful in all forms because your soul shines though. I can’t wait to read this book because I really believe that we ALL deal with body issues no matter how you look on the outside to yourself you have trouble seeing your perfection.
<3 Can't wait to read this book!
You are beautiful!! Thank you for sharing yourself with us and for us…the us that even though we have the same feels, can not find the words to be heard.
I haven’t read it yet, but I will. I’ve been a big girl all my life, so in a way #iAmWillow. Kids were cruel, at school I was all the fat so and so’s under the sun and as you had chub I got Bertha, I hated it.
I’m still a big lass and for years I’ve accepted it, I pick out my best bits and concentrate on those, and I love most of me. I’ve found men like a bit meat on the bone too, I’ve never wanted for male attention. An ex friend of mine couldn’t believe I’d get hit on when we went out, and she didn’t all because she was a size 10. My husband loves my big bits too, he won’t hear of me losing weight, unless it’s for my health. These days I can genuinely look at myself in the mirror and say to myself, looking good girl.
Thanks for sharing your story Harper. I didn’t think I’d be interested in Perfectly imperfect until I read why you wrote it. Now I look forward to reading it. It sounds like a story my daughter should read. She’s 25 and visually impaired. Is the book available in large print?
It isn’t, but the text in the paperback isn’t really small. The audio book will be coming out in a few weeks/months.
I’ve just finished reading perfectly imperfect, in just 3 days might I add and I have to thank you for write such an emotionally raw story. Willow is an inspiration to every girl,woman,man,boy going throw the same and similar struggles and knowing that willow is u makes it even more. Thank u for writing me, thank u for writing u thank u for writing my possible future. Keep shining harper sloan l. X