Lucknow: Fond of clicking selfies, 16-year-old Ambreen Sheikh had to give up her hobby when pimples started appearing on her face. She lost confidence to the extent that she started avoiding even posing for group photographs. The teenager shared the story of how difficult it was for her to tackle the physical changes that come with growing age, during a function on Thursday at
Emma Thompson School
to help young girls overcome social embarrassment because of physical appearance.
"The first pimple on my face gave me nightmares and my confidence went for a toss as while talking to people I felt they were not looking at me but at my pimple," said Ambreen. Like her, many students shared their stories. "Just before my cousin's marriage when a pimple appeared on my forehead, I tried all ways to cover it and when I was not satisfied I finally cancelled my plan to attend the wedding," said Anamika Verma, a class XII student. Sharing their first-pimple story on the occasion, some said their confidence went down and they were more conscious about their appearance, while others said these changes didn't affect their mental and emotional make-up.
"Pimples didn't affect my confidence and I was just happy to realise that I am no more a kid and growing up," shared Anjali Varshney.
The programme concluded with the message that pimples mark every girl's first step into womanhood and they should not be concerned too much about how they appear.
"My teenage days were no different and today when I look back, it all seems so trivial and silly since what matters is who you are and what you are at the end of the day," said chief guest, celebrity chef Pankaj Bhadouria.