Great intro and welcome to Steemit.
I love the goal you laid out here of encouraging others to recognize and celebrate their beauty.

I feel like that could have been different if I was encouraged to do my best. {Instead of being compared to.} And praised for the effort I put in.

I'm sorry this was your experience, and I can very much relate. It is sad how common this reality is.

I think you will find that Steemit is a pretty awesome place to let yourself be seen as you really are.

Cheers.