No matter what gender you are, there will always be stereotypes towards you. You can never get rid of them. They will always be there but you can ignore them. One thing that I think is super important to remember is that you were created in God's image. How you are is how God wants you to be. Being perfect is something that is impossible to achieve but God sees you as perfect just the way you are. He doesn't want you to change so other people will like you. He likes you just the way you are.

Over many years I have struggled with wanting to be perfect. I tried changing my hair, I tried exercising so I could look like those girls in the magazines. I didn't like what I looked like. I wanted to change myself so others would like me. One day I realized that for others to like you, you have to like yourself first. For the longest time I didn't like myself, but then when I started to not change who I was and just be me, I realized that I made friends that actually liked me for who I was. Back then, I didn't know who I was, so how could they know who I was? Once I realized who I really was I noticed that my friends were a lot like me and that they were pretty awesome. When I stopped trying to change myself for others I started to change others around me. They started to be more open about who they were, too. Yes, going through that and getting out of it is a struggle but I did it and I have never been happier! I can finally be who I want to be, and I don't want to be conceited, but I love who I am today. I don't think I would be the person I am today without going through that rough patch.

For all of you reading this, men and women, you are a beautiful child of God and He thinks that you are wonderful. He made you in his image and in case you didn't know, God is pretty great and that means you are great too! You don't have to change yourselves to fit in. I'm telling you this now -- you will never get everyone to like you. The people that really matter will come into your life knowing who you really are and will love you for all of your imperfections and your perfections! No matter what anyone says to you, you are strong and most importantly, you are you and that's exactly who you should be! Find out who you really are and do not be afraid to go out on a limb. You never know who you are until you try to find yourself! It won't be easy but I can tell you right now that you are strong and you will get through this because you have so many people that have your back and that love you for who you are! Be you and be happy too!