We live in a society today where a woman's worth is increasingly becoming based on her looks. It's up to us to expect more and to demand more. It's up to us to flip the script and strive to find our worth in other, more worthy qualities than simple external beauty. In pursuit of that, below you'll find 21 qualities I'm demanding of myself because I am tired of the false belief that my worth is based in my outward appearance.

21. Approachable

One of my main goals in life is to help people. In order to be effective at that, I need to be approachable so people feel comfortable coming to me to seek help or guidance.

20. Optimistic

I want to always keep the childlike innocence with which I look at the world and tough situations. It's all about finding the silver lining in the middle of the storm.

19. Bold

Boldness allows for risk. I want to never be afraid to take a risk so that I might never look back on my life with regret one day.

18. Trustworthy

I don't ever want people to question if I am able to be trusted or not.

17. Successful

This should speak for itself. I think everyone wants to be successful, but it's still a good thing to point out.

16. Powerful

To me, being powerful is being whole all by myself. I never want to question my ability to stand on my own two feet and face the world head on. Powerful isn't about having any kind of control or influence over someone else; it's not needing anyone else.

15. Adventurous

Life is too short to be boring. Enough said.

14. Forgiving

God forgave me, so I believe I should forgive others. I've had to forgive people who weren't even sorry, but at the end of the day it is my own conscience that I have to look out for. I have to make sure that I can live with my decisions. Being forgiving gives me peace of mind where staying angry made me miserable.

13. Compassionate

We desperately need more people in this world who care about people.

12. Open-Minded

You have to remember that not everyone is like you. As the old saying goes, you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. If you're open-minded, you're more open to people. It doesn't mean that you have to change your own beliefs, though some of them may change as you grow with experience. It just means that you accept people and love them regardless of their beliefs.

11. Selfless

I hope that I never see a day where I put my own wants and needs above my love for other people. I try to always be the constant that people know they can lean on when they need it, even if they're never there for me.

10. Honest

In this world, your word is all you really have. That's all I'm going to say.

9. Courageous

I never want to let any tough experience I may go through have an effect on my persistence in getting through it.

8. Intelligent

One of the most important abilities to have is the ability to think for yourself and to form your own opinions. Stay educated.

7. Strong

Strength comes in many forms. I believe it's important to be mentally and emotionally strong so that you can face whatever life throws at you. Sometimes this means adapting to the situation. Sometimes this means just gritting your teeth and bearing it.

6. Independent

I cannot stress enough the importance of being able to stand on your own two feet. I cannot stress enough the importance of being able to make your own choices and thinking for yourself. A follower only goes as far as the crowd goes. Just saying.

5. Confident

In a world that is constantly trying to tear you down, confidence is everything. You have to know who you are and what you want and just own it. No one else's opinion matters.

4. Kind

Always be kind. The world needs more people who are kind. You never know what someone may be going through and you might be the only person who keeps them going. Always be kind.

3. Talented

Find what you're good at and do that.

2. Hardworking

This actually speaks for itself, but people who work hard have more ability to make a difference in this world than people who sit around doing nothing.

1. Unique

I mean, why fit in when you were born to stand out?