Throughout the years, I think we have all learned what it means to be yourself. I know that surviving the bullets that the drama of high school constantly shot at me definitely revealed to me who I am and what I can be.

I always tried so hard to fit in. It felt like I was swimming for my life. Acceptance of my peers meant so much to me. I was jealous of girls who seemed to be liked by everyone.

I wanted that to be me.

I wanted people to know me and like me.

It was an internal battle that I always seemed to be fighting. The clothes were not me, the friends were not me, and the person I was trying to be was not me either.

As my years of high school drew to the end, I slowly began to realize that there was nothing worth fighting for, so I started to let go. I stopped trying and started living.

I stopped wearing the eccentric clothes and I stopped listening to music I didn't like.

Graduation crept around and I left any last bit of me that was unfamiliar, at my high school football stadium.

Fast forward two years, my degree is almost in my hands and I have never been happier. For one, I have been reading and writing more than ever. I do yoga and I spend more time with my family.

With time, I learned that the source of feeling limited happiness was due to the fact that I was out of touch with who I really was. I was stuck on the idea that being myself was weird, and that no one would ever like me.

Well, my boyfriend of 3 years thinks I'm pretty cool, my parents are my number one fans, and my best friend constantly reminds me that we are the smartest people on the planet.

I realized that being yourself is the secret to happiness. I was always embarrassed to say that I was a Christian, because of the harsh stigmas that came from social media. However, I learned to shove them aside and focus on the peace and joy that God has brought me.

Once I let myself fall completely back in love with myself, I was happy, like truly and honestly happy. I felt peace all over and I felt like I was finally who I was meant to be.

I am me, unapologetically and truthfully. I will not be sorry for who I am and what I want. I have grown to realize that I do not have to please anyone or apologize for doing something that makes me happy.

I feel whole and at peace with myself and my spiritual walk has never been stronger. I will never lie to myself about who I am or how I feel ever again. Being honest with myself was the best thing I ever did.

I will never be sorry for who I am.