In a society where sex sells and where we are told that everyone is a size two, it can be a little confusing to your average adolescent. "Be a kid." "Don't grow up too fast." These are things I constantly heard as a child and even a teenager, that I wish I would have listened to. My parents would scold me when I was showing too much cleavage, or they could see a little bit of tummy, and I hated it. I used to think, "just let me do what I want!" I wish I would have known that they were just trying to help. They just wanted me to be me, and not a cookie cutter cut-out of every other girl in the USA. Because of my parents nagging me, I have realized over the years that I don't want to be like everyone else. Not being like everyone else means not dressing like everyone else as well, and here is why.

1. I don't dress to impress.

I feel like everyone is dressing to impress someone. Whether it is their parents, their boyfriend/girlfriend, their friends, or even society. I do not dress up everyday. You can usually catch me in a t-shirt and jeans and with my hair in a messy bun. I don't care. If people don't like it, oh well. I dress for myself and only myself. It makes things so much easier.

2. I am a thick girl.

Some things are meant for the skinny girls. Plain and simple. I am not meant to wear crop tops, short shorts, and anything else that shows off all of my rolls and cellulite. I am comfortable in yoga pants. Being thick also makes it harder to find clothes that fit or are comfortable. You do not know how hard it is to find the right jeans. If it fits nice in your waist, it is too tight in your thighs and too long. I just can't get it right.

3. I have body image issues.

I am not a fan of how I look. I have a problem. Unfortunately, I don't feel comfortable in a lot of things. If I were to dress like everyone else, I would not be being true to who I am.

4. I can feel everyone judging.

You know, if I were to dress like everyone else, I would be judged. I know it. So, to avoid being the topic of conversation and being stared at, I will stick to my clothes and not the athletic shorts and tight tank tops that I see everywhere.

5. I am not made of money.

I can't afford to buy all of my clothes from name brand stores and I don't think I would, even if I had the money to do it. $60 for a pair of jeans?No thanks. Goodwill is the greatest thing. Cute and sometimes even vintage stuff for cheap! I could buy a new wardrobe for $100. Hand-me-downs for the win.

6. I am a practical and busy girl.

I simply do not have to time or energy that most girls do. I am not willing to get up two hours before school to start getting ready. I do not need to wear makeup, and if I do, it is usually just mascara and maybe a little eye shadow. I do not know how people do it, but I give you props for looking on-point all the time. That lifestyle is just not for me. Minimal effort, please.

7. I don't need to fit in.

If people don't like me, that is their problem. I do not need anyone's approval. I will be me and only me.

8. I never got the right attention.

Whenever I tried to dress like all of the other girls, I felt like I was trying too hard. And the "sexier" things I was wearing (or attempting to wear) were just getting me more attention. Sometimes it was nice to be looked at, but I found I wasn't being admired. I was being seen as a piece of meat. Guys would stare and start to make comments. I became a conquest. I changed that real fast.

9. I am unique.

I am me. That is it. I don't want to be like anyone else, because then I am not original.

You dress how you want. I have no problem with that. It is just not me. But all I ask is that you be who you are and not who everyone else is. You do you.