First of all, the people in magazines -- they don't actually look like that. Being a photographer's daughter, I know what Photoshop can do. It's much easier looking perfect when someone spends hours behind a computer screen trying to create an even more beautiful version of their model. Sure, Victoria Secret models are drop dead gorgeous, but so are the plus-sized models at Walmart.

I was raised to believe everyone is beautiful. They may look different, they may have pimples, they may even have fat in places that is not personally desirable, but that doesn't make them any less beautiful than I am. Yes, I just called myself beautiful. You know what? Confidence is beautiful. Happiness is beautiful. Screw society and its definition of beauty because, apparently, no one is being taught to look further than appearance.

The girl that's "not your type" because she's too chunky, or too muscular, or too tall, or whatever other flaw you can find about her could be your soul mate. But, you'll never know because she doesn't fit your dream girl picture. I'm not saying to let yourself go. I do believe everyone should be the best version of themselves; with that being said, everyone's best version is when they are happiest. If you're happy with yourself, that's all that matters. Sometimes I hear people saying "men prefer ladies with curves," and this is just as degrading to skinny girls as it is to curvy girls being told that they should be skinny.

Besides, since when do men get to prefer a body type? I have always found that people find flaws in everyone else because they are trying to hide their own insecurities. Don't let someone who is not happy with who they are tell you the reasons you should be insecure. Everyone has their own insecurities, and it's not our job to point them out. As women, we should be encouraging others. We should be empowering others.

I hate to break it to you, but if you're tearing others down, that's not doing anything but showing your weakness. If having green hair, tattoos, and body piercings makes you happy, do it. If working out, and eating healthy makes you happy, do it. If brownies make you happy, eat them. There's no such thing as the perfect look, or the perfect lifestyle. Do what makes you happy, and be your beautiful self while doing it.