Emily-Anne Rigal - FLAWD: How to Stop Hating on Yourself, Others, and the Things That Make You Who You Are

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR

FLAWD lets us know that different is what makes the world awesome.

Trisha Hershberger, YouTube host of SourceFed

This book is like a cookbook for empowerment very practical, very easy to read, totally delicious... just like Emily-Anne.

Nancy Lublin, CEO of DoSomething.org and founder of Crisis Text Line

FLAWD is inspirational and practical.

Gabi Gregg, fashion blogger

In a culture where young people are consistently told that they are not good enough, FLAWD is a guide that challenges this statement by saying, You are enough. Emily-Anne is an important voice and leader for todays generation.

Taylor Trudon, editor of HuffPost Teen at the Huffington Post

I wish this book existed when I was on the brink of losing myself to the unrealistic standard of Hollywood.

Monique Coleman, actress and global youth advocate

The world is a better place because of Emily-Anne. She cares deeply about making each of us feel better about ourselvesflaws and all!

Ann Shoket, millennial expert and former editor in chief of Seventeen

FLAWD is a collection of voices from a rising generation.

Hannah Brencher, founder of More Love Letters and TED speaker

FLAWD is an essential book at an essential time.

Eric Dawson, founder of Peace First

FLAWDs witty, dynamic stories and real-life advice make it hard to put down. The thought-provoking content lovingly urges readers to embrace their flaws and live a more empowered life.

Jess Weiner, author and confidence expert

I dare you to read FLAWD and not feel totally inspired to become the powerful author of your own beautifully flawd life.

Denise Restauri, founder and CEO of GirlQuake

I wish every teenager could read FLAWD to give them the boost they need and the understanding they deserve.

Jane Buckingham, author of The Modern Girls Guide to Life

Emily-Anne talks to teens in their own language and carries a powerful message of hope, health, and happiness.

Debora Spar, president of Barnard College

FLAWD is essential reading for anyone looking to break the cycles of hate that so deeply impact our lives. Emily-Anne shows us a path to finding our place and making a difference along the way!

Lee Hirsh, director/producer of Bully

This book truly has the capacity to change not only how teens see themselves and experience their lives, but to change the world.

Deborah Reber, author of Doable: The Girls Guide to Accomplishing Just About Anything

Reading FLAWD felt like I was in a room brimming with new friends, a room filled with kindness and care, and some kickass life hacks.

Miriam Peskowitz, New York Times bestselling author of The Daring Book for Girls

PERIGEE

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014

FLAWD

Copyright 2015 by Realize Arts & Education Inc.

Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

eBook ISBN: 978-0-698-19086-3

This book has been registered with the Library of Congress.

First edition: August 2015

Illustrations by Jeanne Demers

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Cover illustration by Jeanne Demers

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Contents

INTRODUCTION

Yes, I said it.

And I meant it.

And Im here to represent it.

And so are a lot of my peers.

Because youre not alone with your flaws. Far from it.

Every person on this planet has a flaw. Flaws can range from something physical, something emotional, to something you just downright dont like about yourself.

Momo055650, age 16

So, who is this person jumping straight into the scary flaws conversation right off the bat? Well, its me, Emily-Anne Rigal. I founded the nonprofit WeStopHate when I was sixteen. Now, five years later, my passion is still helping others to feel comfortable being themselves.

And flaws fascinate me. Do they fascinate you? Like, why do we have to have them and why do we spend crazy amounts of energy doing things like...

In short, why do we have...

Maybe youre in a really good space when it comes to flaws. Maybe youre enlightened on the subject and you want others to feel the same kind of liberation. If thats the case, you already know that accepting what you dont like about yourself sets you free.

Its about just accepting your flaws and just moving on with your life because theres so many more things to life than just worrying about not having the clearest skin, not being the prettiest, not being the smartest, and not succeeding at absolutely everything that you do.

Momo055650, age 16

Were all somewhere on this spectrum. Do you know where you are?