We all have days, weeks, or even months where we look in the mirror and hate what the person staring back at us looks like. And we think we're the only ones. Stupidly, we compare ourselves to other people. But here's the reality: that guy with the six-pack abs may have something he's self-conscious about. And that girl who is blonde and beautiful may be struggling with an eating disorder.

I've stopped hiding my body dysmorphia. I just went through a phase of my life where I lost the 15 pounds I had gained from Freshman year and then the 15 pounds I had gained from coping with my mental health disorders. I'm proud of the progress I've made. I believe people when they tell me I look great and beautiful and healthy.

The trouble is, I go home, I look in the mirror, and I just point out the flaws. But that doesn't have to be the norm. Here are four things that you can tell yourself, just like I do, that might ease the burden of the pain you're inflicting on yourself mentally when you look in the mirror and don't like what you see.

1. Your body is your house. Why not make it a home?

Your body is the only one you're going to get. You don't have any choice but to live in it. But there's a difference between a house and a home. Make your body a place you like to be. Dress it the way you want to. Feed it what you want to. Exercise it the way you want to. All that matters is that you are happy and comfortable in the skin you very literally live in.

2. "Pretty" doesn't have one definition.

Newsflash: Different people find different things attractive. Boobs vs butts. Abs vs dad bods. Eyes vs smile. There are things that you don't like about yourself that someone else 100% does. If you're scared that people are judging you by the features of your body, you're probably wrong. Someone out there sees you and thinks, "Damn."

3. What you eat today isn't going to show up on your thighs tomorrow.

A very wise woman told me this: No workout guilt and no food guilt. If both make you happy, enjoy both. I work out three-five times a week. And I have no problem eating a sleeve of Oreos. Or a pint of ice cream. Why? Because I feel like it. Eating what you want doesn't cancel out the hard work you put in at the gym or in the studio that day. Your body can't change that fast. You're not going to lose or gain weight in a matter of two days. Eat the damn cookie and enjoy it.

4. You ARE beautiful.

It's cheesy, but it's true. Self-love and self-care are a process. You can't decide overnight you're going to believe the things people say about you. I can hear people tell me I'm beautiful, but I don't always believe it. But it's something I'm working on, and it's something you can do too.

Instead of pointing out your uneven boobs or your love handles or your tummy, point out just one thing you like. One thing. And then grow that one thing into two and then three and so on. It's a process. It's a journey. And no matter how much you're not going to believe me when I say this: You're not on this journey alone.