Fourteen years ago in the year 1997.

Yes, this was a letter to Vogue from a 17 year old Zooey Deschanel.

It’s funny, though, because she herself has become an “ideal” without even realizing it. I mean, seriously. I want want want to be like her.

I tell you now that she was the reason why I once permanently curled my hair (and then added bangs in an attempt to have an almost-sixties hairstyle). She is the reason why, until now, I love wearing colorful dresses and flats and why I love tucking in my shirts in skirts and shorts.

Anyway.

Despite her becoming famous and at par with the girls in Vogue now, I don’t think much has changed in her convictions. Zooey Deschanel is one of those few actresses in Hollywood who never tried to be someone people expect her to be. She prefers vintage clothes over designers. She likes working out not to have a flat tummy but simply to be healthy. She’s playing Jess Day to advocate that it’s adorkable to be a dork. 

She is relatable. Reachable. Inspirational. 

So while other girls aspire to have Angelina Jolie’s sexy lips or to have Miranda Kerr’s endless legs, I think I’ll just stick with aspiring to have Zooey Deschanel’s naturalness, quirks and all.