(eek my first odyssey article)

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

This goes out to every girl who feels like they have to impress everyone to be someone. I know how you feel because I feel that way too. I feel like I have to walk around wearing the most expensive clothes and doing my makeup until I reach perfection. I feel like I have to have the hottest friends around me at all times. The perfect boyfriend, or guys following me everywhere I go. I walk around making myself feel like something I am not. I feel artificial. I have felt this way for a very long time and now as I am a freshman in college I have come to a bold conclusion...

I don't have to, and neither do you.

Here is why...

Each of us is beautiful on our own.

You were made this way for a reason, to be different, and we all are. We don't have to be the most beautiful girls on the planet. We are beautiful without conforming to society's norms. Clothes do not make you beautiful, makeup does not make you beautiful, your friends do not make you beautiful, boys will NEVER make you beautiful (except dads because they rock), the only thing that makes you beautiful is you and your individuality.

Internal beauty is what matters the most.

Be captivating. Be magnetic. Be hilarious. Be sad. Be quiet. Be loud. Be Broken (hey it's okay). Be truthful. Be whatever body type you wanna be (love my size 6 jeans and DD bra). Be outrageous. Be Bold. Be dramatic (you go Taylor Swift). Be silly. Be a food junkie. Be raw. Be delicate. Be strong. Be stubborn (hell we all are). Be vivacious. Be inspiring. Be embarrassed (like that time you tripped outside and hoped no one saw but knew everyone did). Be brave. Be vulnerable. Be daring. Be grateful. Be faithful. Be free. Be controversial. Be wild. Be loving. Be everything and anything you want to be, but be more than just external beauty.

Don't be afraid.

YOU DO YOU. YGG. YES BOO YES. WERK.

I've walked around my college campus in boxers, a tie-dye grateful dead t-shirt, and uggs (it was only 65 degrees) but boy did I feel like a million bucks. I have also walked around with half my body spray painted. I NEVER wear makeup to class anymore, and I have found that not only does it clear up my skin, NO ONE CARES. Eat pizza rolls and easy mac for every meal!!! Wear your norts and oversized t-shirt, or your dress and heels!! Be comfortable being whatever kinda person you wanna be! You rock, don't let society tell you any different.

So to the girls who have felt like they need to be something they're not, stop. Stop conforming. Find the girl you want to be, not what you feel molded to be. Be who YOU have always dreamt of being. Be paradisiacal so don't forget to resemble your own paradise. Being the small fish and being yourself is far better than losing yourself in the pond. Wherever you go from here on out you will be loved for you, and it will be the best feeling.

Sincerely,

Just another girl.