Everyone struggles with their body image. Everyone compares themselves to other people.

I struggle with my body confidence, but I'm learning.

So, here is a list of 20 things I learned about body image.

1. I don't have to be tan to be pretty.

I thought I had to be sun kissed for a guy to be semi-interested in me, but I quickly learned I was pretty with my pale, Irish skin.

2. I don't have to be size 00.

I have wide hips. There is NO way I would fit into a size 00 even if I weighed 100 lbs. I am proud to fit into my size 3 jeans.

3. I don't have to always wear makeup.

Sure, makeup is nice and having a black line on my eyelids and a contour makes me feel better, but I don't need to wear makeup every day. I look good without it.

4. I don't have to do my hair every day.

Now, if you're like me, your hair is naturally a disaster. I have naturally curly hair and it's hard to tame. But I don't have to style it every day. It looks good in a messy bun.

5. I don't need nice clothes.

Clothes are expensive. Being fashionable is not. I look perfectly fine in a hoodie, yoga pants and fuzzy socks.

6. I don't need to be extremely fit.

I enjoy being active, like going for a walk, a run or a hike, but I don't need to spend hours at the gym to feel comfortable in my own skin. It's a trend to be skinny and fit, but I love my body the way it is. And if people can't love me for the size of my thighs, then I don't need that kind of negativity in my life.

7. I don't have to eat healthy all the time.

This goes along with 6, but I thought I would add it because food is important to me. I like fruits, vegetables and nuts, but I also like pudding, cookies and chips. I don't think eating healthy is in my nature. I like pizza and french fries way too much.

8. I don't need to have perfect teeth.

I used to bother my parents to get my braces. I used to hate smiling in pictures because my teeth weren't perfect. Now, I love the gap between my two front teeth. It gives my smile a personality of its own.

9. I don't need long, blonde hair.

I don't really want long hair because my hair already takes a half an hour to style at medium length. But I used to really want blonde hair, and I'm glad I am over that phase. Because my brown hair is just as beautiful!

10. My pictures don't need filters.

Filters are cool features, but I am beautiful without a filter on my newest selfie. I have grown to love the color of my skin and hair.

11. My blue eyes are beautiful.

When I first got contacts, I wanted to order colored contacts. I hated my blue eyes even though people complimented them. I have grown to like them a lot more.

12. I am beautiful without someone saying I am.

I don't need someone to tell me I am beautiful, although it's nice and everyone likes being told they are good looking. But I no longer have to validate my beauty.

13. I am not for everyone.

I am beautiful to some people, not to all, and that is OK. I no longer feel the need to worry about if people think I am pretty or not.

14. I love my body the way it is.

Pimples, stretch marks, scars and all.

15. Long legs are sexy!

I hated being 5'4. I always thought I was too tall, and I wanted to be shorter. But my long legs allow me to reach the middle shelf without climbing onto the counter top. I can't reach the top shelf just yet, but if I stand on the tips of my toes, I can almost reach it.

16. I don't need your opinion.

I don't need you to tell me if an outfit makes me look fat, or if my hair is a mess. I already know, and I really don't care what you think. I will wear what I want, and I will leave my hair a mess.

17. It's my body and I will do what I want.

This goes along with 16, but I need to reiterate. I do not care what you think about my body. All that matters is if I like my body. I will change my hair if I want to. I will get a tattoo or piercing if I want to. It's my body and I don't need you to tell me what I can and cannot do with it.

18. I do my hair and makeup and dress up for me, not for anyone else.

I get to decide when I want to dress up and do my makeup and hair. I know people who do it just to get likes on social media. I do it all to boost my self-esteem and stare at myself in the mirror. "Damn girl, who are you? HMU sometime!"

19. Be kind to yourself.

You are beautiful and you have to believe that you are.

20. Choose to love yourself.

Every morning I wake up and say what I love about myself. It helps me love myself on my worst days.