The hot, sticky summer weather has finally hit us hard. The beaches are now flooded with locals grilling out and tourists ready to take a dip into refreshing water. Your eyes dart from body to body, admiring the beauty of sun-kissed skin and secretly sulking in your own insecurities. You find yourself standing on the hot sand, feeling every trickle of sweat, but too afraid to take of the cardigan that covers your arms that someone has once poked fun at.

Take. It. Off.

Better yet, rip it off. Make this summer the summer for you. I know self-love is such a hard idea to get the mind around. After constantly feeling judgmental eyes grazing your body, showing some skin may be the last thing you would want to do. But hear me out, it is your time to shine, and this is why.

1. Life is too short to be uncomfortable.

We do not have an infinite amount of time on this earth. You should not have to feel sticky with sweat because of someone else's unworthy opinion. What matters is that you feel the warm summer breeze all over your body for the first time in years.

2. You are beautiful.

Regardless of words that some moron has said in the past, you are a beautiful and powerful individual. You deserve to be seen by the world. Do not let the idiocy of an ignorant being deter you from being happy and comfortable in the skin you are in.

3. They do not matter.

When I say "they," I mean the people who have made you believe that you're not worth being seen. The only opinion that should ever matter is your own. If you are like me, sometimes even your own opinion about yourself can be rather harsh, but that's when strength and confidence comes into play. Have the confidence in yourself to over power all of the negative thoughts you may have and what others may have.

4. You have some really cute clothes.

The summer is a perfect time to show off those cute tank tops that have been hiding in your dark closet all winter. It is time to give them the spot light they deserve. And you deserve to look sexy wearing them. Put on those high waisted shorts with a little fray at the bottom. You have suffered through the cold winter like everyone else. It is your turn to put on that killer outfit, show a little skin and be happy with the look you're representing.