Confidence is hard to come by these days. Everywhere you turn there are new ways that the term beauty is defined. No matter if a one person achieves that perfect standard, there will always be something missing. I remember the first time I ever felt insecure about myself. I was in 6th grade and I had just cut my hair. I decided that straight across bangs would be a great option, and at the time I had train tracks running across my teeth and I was also going through dreaded puberty. It was a difficult time and learning to overcome my fears of what I looked like sky rocketed.

In today’s society everyone is in competition with each other. Girls are seeing who can have the biggest butt with the smallest, most toned waist and perfect hair and makeup. Billboards are plastered with models faces on them that have been cropped and cut to perfection. It is intimidating to the core. I know that when I look in the mirror I see me. Plain ‘ole me. I pick apart every flaw and envision what I would look like if I could change anything I wanted. Sometimes I think nothing is special about me. It took me a long time to be okay with what I saw every day. Many times I cried. Many times I laughed. Most of the time I was able to look past the imperfections and focus on what I was okay with about myself. I am at a point now to where I am happy with who I am. I never step on a scale, instead I look in the mirror and if I’m happy with what I see then that’s all that matters. I eat well and exercise because that makes me happy.

I know that I can’t change how I was made. I mean, with tons of money and plastic surgery I might have a better chance, but even then I wouldn’t. Understanding to love yourself despite what society or anyone thinks is one of the most important and critical things in life that you can do. Never feel shameful for the way you were created because if you are true to the real you, your confidence will overcome anything.