Let’s face it: spring break is coming up, which means it’s time for everyone to start going to the tanning bed in hopes of getting a nice base tan before they actually tan during spring break.

Unless you are part of an elite group like me. Us pale girls can’t even think about going to a tanning bed unless we want to end up looking like this:

So, yeah, it can be a struggle, as I’m sure many of you know.

1. Having to convince people you got somewhat tan

Sure, I might not turn a completely different shade like the rest of you, but I’ll take what I can get.

2. Blinding people with your skin

Spring is coming, which means the shorts are about to come out, and I can really draw all the attention as the sun just bounces right off my body.

3. Blending into light backgrounds

4. THE SUNBURNS

It’s inevitable. Unless you are spending most of your days inside, the sunburn is going to happen. I’ve definitely learned that I can’t use SPF 4 like the rest of my friends the hard way.

5. "Oh, you must be Irish!"

These comments double if you have any shade of red hair.

6. For those who are covered in freckles, the amount that you get in the summer never ceases to amaze you

I’ll never know what my arms look like without freckles, but that’s okay with me.

7. Picking a foundation is easy

I don’t even need to test out different shades. I’ll take the lightest one available.

8. Those colors that look so good on darker-complexioned people? Yeah, not so much.

The baby blues, pinks, and whites that really compliment darker skin end up making us look even paler than when we started.

9. The number of times your non-pale friends complain about how pale they are

Oh, really? You want to talk about pale? Please, tell me more.

Sure, there are some struggles that come with our lily-white skin, but it’s also a blessing. Over the years, I have come to embrace my glowing skin and freckles as a part of me. The compliments from strangers are always welcome too. We might not be able to get tan like all of our friends, but we can be confident in our skin and continue shining on for the world to see.