Nearly everyone has insecurities about some aspect of the way they look.
Each man and woman deals with their image issues differently. Some have a problem with their bodies and dedicate themselves to improving their physique through intensive diet and exercise.
Others turn to plastic surgery to give them the look they've always dreamed of having — or even to make them look like their favorite celebrity.
Still others overcome self-esteem problems rooted in their physical appearance, choosing to love themselves no matter how they look — like Kelly Clarkson, who recently spoke out about loving herself now more than she ever did when she was at her thinnest (but deeply depressed).
It's a bit trickier when your self-esteem is impacted by a medical condition that causes you to have physical differences largely out of your control. Twenty-two-year-old Mathilde Arctander falls into that category due to a large birthmark that she once hid away after she began to notice people staring at it when she was 13 years old.
But now, Mathilde is proudly displaying it for the world to see.
Scroll through to learn more about why Mathilde is so proud to show off her birthmark!
Thumbnail Photo: Instagram / Mathilde Arctander // Christine Arctander
[H/T: Daily Mail]
Mathilde is a 22-year-old student and artist from Stavanger, Norway.
For years, she has dealt with staring from nosy strangers.
The young woman has a large birthmark that covers her stomach and thighs, along with other, smaller moles and birthmarks on the rest of her body and face.
Mathilde initially struggled with self-doubt about her "unusual" skin and the condition that caused people to look at her all the time.
Mathilde has congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN). The condition causes the moles and dark patches forming birthmarks to develop all over her skin.
According to The Sun, CMN is present at birth and grows at the same rate that the affected child grows. The condition can also cause the skin to be fragile and drier, and it increases the risk of deadly melanoma — the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
Mathilde told The Sun that she wasn't bullied much over her appearance, but began to notice people staring at her more when she was around 13 years old. This caused her to begin to question why she had birthmarks and looked different from everyone else.
As a result, she used to hide away her birthmarks under baggy clothes.
But now, Mathilde has learned to embrace her differences and even celebrate them, though she doesn't blame strangers for being curious about her looks.
“I understand why they may stare and wonder what I have on my body, but I don’t know why they don’t just ask me. I am unique. I may not be normal. I don’t have normal skin, and that’s OK," she explained. "My birthmarks are a part of me, and I wouldn’t get rid of them."
Mathilde, an artist who often paints on canvas, tells LittleThings that she has even incorporated CMN into one of her paintings.
"I sell art, and I had an art exhibition this summer. I have been painting for a long time, and I have been painting three women with CMN in one of my paintings," she explains.
Most recently, Mathilde shared several photos of herself in a bikini at the beach, in an effort to inspire others to love themselves and their differences.
On her Instagram account, Mathilde uses the hashtag #bareyourbirthmark to encourage others not to be ashamed of or hide the things that make them different.
“I no longer wake up each morning and wonder why I have them," Mathilde explained.
"When I look at other people with birthmarks, I find them so beautiful, too, because each of us look different and that’s so cool. When I began to show my big birthmark at the beach to everyone, they said that I was brave and beautiful. Thanks to them, I am stronger.”
Mathilde also does outreach conferences in the United States for others living with CMN.
“Some of them cover themselves up with lots of foundation because maybe they are afraid of what other people think of their birthmarks. If you have CMN, don’t try to cover it with makeup. Be natural," Mathilde said.
"And get to know others with it, too. It will build your confidence up, and then you won’t care about those who do not understand how nice birthmarks are. You are unique.”
Don't forget to SHARE Mathilde's inspiring message with your friends and family on Facebook!
