I’ve spent the past 20 years of my life being as nice as possible to other people. I always greet someone with a smile, ask how they are doing and do my best to make them feel like they are speaking with someone who genuinely cares about their well-being. I’ve always listened to my parents’ rules, respected my teachers in school and tried to be a person that others can view as a humble, good girl.

Being a “good” girl in this day and age is hard — really hard. There is peer pressure around every corner and someone always tempting you to do something you shouldn’t do. As a college student, I am surrounded by temptations everyday and I do my best to fight them. I don’t go to parties. I don’t drink. I don’t have random hookups with someone I barely know.

Instead of being appreciated for my values and respected for my beliefs, some people may view me as a loser or someone that does not want to have fun. We all have judged a book by its cover at some point in our lives, so it’s no different for me when people think that I’m a boring person.

I can promise you I’m one of the least boring people you’ll ever meet. I talk 24/7 and will try my best to always make you laugh. I’m full of life, I just don’t choose to take part in temptations. I’m genuinely just a good girl. My southern hospitality and Christian upbringing has played a huge part in who I am. I’m not ashamed to be a good girl. I’m proud of my values and beliefs.

Why is it that in our society good girls aren’t appreciated? Instead of receiving respect, we have people in our lives that try to change us. They try to belittle us. They want us to change our values for them.

I have learned the hard way that having people in your life that try to change what you stand for never works out. You don’t need that type of negativity in your life. When people don’t love you for who YOU are, it’s best to let them go.

I'm not writing this to say that I'm perfect or that I've never done anything wrong in my life, because I have. We all make mistakes and have our flaws. Instead, I'm writing this for everyone to have more respect for girls who are too busy having goals for their lives to give into doing what everyone else is doing.

If you are reading this and can think of a good girl you have in your life, appreciate her. Respect her. It’s hard to not give into peer pressure.

So to all my fellow good girls out there, stay strong. Keep being you. Don’t change to fit in with the people that you think are cool now. Don’t be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t respect your values. You deserve the world. Being a good girl will pay off in the end. I can promise you that.