Sharing A Throwback Photo, Priyanka Chopra Urges People To Be Kind: 'Don't Troll'

The actor preached self-love and acceptance while talking about puberty and grooming, which is commendable because she has millions of impressionable young girls following her.

Kindness is a very important quality to possess, especially in the age of social media, where it is easy to perpetuate hatred anonymously and with impunity. Celebrities are often the victims of online trolling. But, there are many who continue to spread the message of self-love and self-acceptance, regardless of what social media platforms as its standard of beauty.

Sharing an important message on this, actor Priyanka Chopra recently shared a collage of two pictures from her younger days. One of them -- a black and white photograph -- was from when she was not even 10, and the other one was from her time in the beauty pageant world. The juxtaposition of the images was accompanied by a nostalgic caption, wherein Chopra -- who is now married to Hollywood actor and singer Nick Jonas -- wrote that even though she has been in the showbiz for so many decades now, she is still just figuring everything out. The actor also underlined the importance of taking it easy, and being patient and loving towards oneself.

"Warning: Don't troll my nine-year-old self," she wrote about the picture on the left, in which a doe-eyed Chopra stared at the camera. "So wild to think about what puberty and grooming can do to a girl. On the left is me in my awkward pre-teen era with a 'boy cut' hairstyle, so it wouldn't be cumbersome at school."

"I went from a 'katori cut' to this. So, it was a win. And on the right is me at 17, having just won Miss India in the year 2000 and basking in the glory of hair, makeup and wardrobe. Both pictures were taken less than a decade apart. As Britney Spears very articulately put it, 'I'm not a girl, not yet a woman'. That was exactly how I felt then, entering the big world of entertainment," the mother-of-one confessed.

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A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra)

She went on to write that 25 years later, she is still figuring things out, just like everyone else.

"Looking back at my younger self often makes me kinder to myself today. Think about your younger self and how much she has done for you. Love yourself. You've gone through a lot to be where you are today. What did your younger self do for you?" the actor asked.

The Importance Of Self Love

While it is natural for people to be a little awkward while looking at old photographs of themselves -- without social media filters, makeup, and such -- it is important to be completely self-embracing and accepting.

Self-love and self-acceptance are essential for:

1. Emotional well-being: It can make one develop confidence and self-worth, and enable them to cope with challenges and setbacks by reducing stress and anxiety.
2. Personal growth: They can enable a person to recognise their strengths and weaknesses. They learn how to embrace their uniqueness.
3. Physical health: One learns to prioritise physical and mental well-being, and develop a positive body image. They are also encouraged to make healthy choices that enhance their overall physical and mental resilience.
4. Spiritual growth: A person may be able to cultivate self-acceptance and self-love, and discover life's passions and values. It fosters spiritual awareness and growth.

Kudos to Chopra for sharing such an important and unapologetic message with her 92 million global followers.