Ladies! Gentlemen! Human beings! I'd like to remind you that you are all special! While some days we may feel like the whole world is against us, or that we'd rather hide under the covers than be seen, I'd like to remind you that you aren't alone. We've all had that day, or many days, where we'd rather stay in bed than go out in public because we were afraid of being judged. We've all been afraid that the moment we fight to be strong, someone would push us back under our covers and make us hide again. There have been multiple people in my life that have told me that I let people make me feel weak, make me feel ditzy, not pretty, or rich enough to fit in. I would like to tell you a few things:

1. You don't need to fit in.

This isn't a game where we categorize certain people with the jocks, the science nerds, or the cheerleaders. Why do we feel the constant need to fit in when we don't need to fit in at all? Just because we aren't jocks or science nerds or cheerleaders, that doesn't mean we can't make friends with those who are in these categories. Why do we consistently need to form cliques to feel accepted? Be the bigger person and overstep these boundaries. If you're a math nerd or a theater geek, go hang out with the cheerleaders one day. Go make a friend who plays sports. In a world where we must categorize each other in order to feel accepted, it isn't necessary.

2. You don't need anyone to compare you to someone else.

You are you. You are not the girl who looks like the girl your ex is dating. What makes you unique is that there's only one you. When someone else compares you to another, it makes you feel less special. You suddenly feel the urge to compare yourself to that individual to better your self-image. Always remember that you are no one other than yourself. You don't need to prove that you're better than the other girl or stronger than the other man. You simply have to be you.

3. You don't need anyone to call you not smart.

How dare they! Everyone is smart in their own way. While some may succeed with the information they learn in school, others may succeed with tasks that perhaps involve working with their hands. Not everyone can succeed in the entertainment industry, blacksmithing, or fashion design. It's a different type of intelligence you don't necessarily pick up at school. So before others think you aren't smart, they should think about the aspects in which you do succeed, and appreciate you for that.

4. You don't need someone to say you are ditzy.

There's no such thing as a dumb blonde. Don't make assumptions or follow stereotypes about a person before you know the truth.

5. You don't need anyone to call you unattractive.

Let's get this straight. You are one of the most attractive individuals someone will ever meet. While one person might tell you that you aren't attractive, that doesn't mean you are unattractive. There is some quality in you that someone will find attractive.

6. You will not let anyone emotionally abuse you.

Don't let someone yell at you, call you names, or make you feel worthless. If this person is your boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner, this hopefully puts up the red flag in your mind that you shouldn't have a person like this in your life. I promise you, there are so many other better people out there.

7. You will not let anyone lay a finger on you.

First of all, this is physical assault. You don't deserve to be hurt or abused. You are so much better than this.

8. You will not let anyone pressure you to do something.

If you don't want to have sex, if you don't want to eat an entire box of pizza, smoke a ton of junk, or jump off of a cliff that ends who knows where, you don't have to. This is something called peer pressure, and you don't need to overstep your boundaries.

9. You will confront people with how you feel.

If you feel that you're being abused in any way, talked down to, or compared to others, you should know that you can change your situation. Confront the people who are making you feel uncomfortable with being yourself. Address the problem so it doesn't remain a problem anymore. If the problem is more serious, where it might involve threats of more abuse, there are always other authorities you can contact. Don't be passive.

I want you to remind yourself every day that you are special. You are not like your ex's new girlfriend or boyfriend. You are way better than the person you think you are. You are beautiful in your own way. You are intelligent. And most of all, you are not weak. I am always learning to confront people with my feelings and tell them how I feel. Over time, I want to learn to not be passive anymore and to take action. As I am learning, I encourage you to learn and to take action along with me!