I used to think that my body wasn’t beach ready because I wasn’t a size two. I analyzed myself in the mirror, pinching my skin and sucking in my stomach to see what I would look like if I lost weight. I hated going shopping for summer clothes because I didn’t want to show the world that my body was less than perfect. I’ve since come to accept myself, but it took a lot of time and effort. Here are some things I want you to know.

1. You are beautiful no matter what size you are. I know it can be hard to believe that, given our society’s obsession with stick-thin models who make looking perfect seem like a cakewalk, but it’s true. You don’t have to be skinny to be attractive. You just have to be yourself.

2. Insecurity sells. By telling women that they need to have flat stomachs to be beautiful, businesses make a lot of money. Think about it. There are thousands of advertisements designed to sell you gym memberships, weight loss diets promoted by celebrities, and clothing designed to make you look slimmer. If you wake up one morning and decide you are happy with your body the way it is, those companies will lose money, and they don’t want that. There will always be people trying to make money off your insecurities. Don’t let them win.

3. Confidence is key. When it comes to attraction, how you present yourself matters much more than what you weigh. If you believe that you are looking good, other people will take notice. Don’t be afraid to wear your favorite outfits and show the world how beautiful you look.

4. Losing weight will not solve all your problems. I know it it may seem to be the magic solution, but losing ten pounds is not going to make you love yourself more. Moving down a dress size will not automatically make you feel better about yourself. It takes time. Accepting yourself as you are can be hard sometimes, but I promise you that it is worth it.

5. Other people’s opinions about your body don’t matter. Not everyone is going to find you beautiful, and that’s okay. People of all shapes and sizes are attractive regardless of whether or not everyone says so. If people can’t see how lovely you are, that’s their problem, not yours. Just keep being awesome.