I am not going to pretend to be a politician, because I’m not. Frankly, I never really thought too much about how my own life would be affected by the election until this year.

The truth is I’m terrified, terrified of what our new future holds. It is no secret that one day Donald Trump woke up and said, “I think I want to be the president,” only no one really thought it would stick. The world we live in as we know it is about to change, and hopefully not for the worst.

The amount of hate in this world stemming from this election is obscene. At the end of the day, we have chosen to turn on each other, with anger and frustration in our hearts. Instead of coming together and speaking out against many wrongs, we are fighting each other, and turning a blind eye to the real issue.

Never in my life did I think I would be scared of the choices that a President could make. Choices that involve my body, my rights as a young lady, choices that also affect those I love. Those choices, are mine and mine alone, do not dare take them from me.

I worry for the young boys who will look up to the president and aspire to be like him. Will they aspire to be someone who is intolerant to people with disabilities and differences? Will they grow old thinking that women are lesser, and that they are not equal? Will they fear being a member of the LGBTQ community because this man who is now the president does not support those amazing members of our community? Will they grow old with hate in their hearts, I sincerely hope not.

I am so incredibly scared for this country, but also so incredibly inspired. If there was ever a time to stand up for what you believe in its now. Do not let anyone limit you, do not let this man dictate our future. Do not let hate into your heart for you will then become the very monster you fear. Be kind, be caring, be yourself, because no matter what, he can never take that away from you.