If you just read this headline and are thinking this isn’t possible, take it from me — someone who has been exactly where you are. Self-love is the most important thing out there.

We all worry so much about everyone else and what everyone else thinks about us constantly. The thing about that is, it shouldn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter because the only opinion you should care about is your own.

You are the only person who you will always be with.

I used to care so much about what everyone else thought of me. This got to the point where I would change my hair styles, what I wore and how I spoke just to make these people like me and approve of me. I was so down on myself constantly. I didn’t think I was worth it because I wasn’t as “skinny” or as “pretty” as the other girls I’d see. I spent my first year of high school changing for some guy who wasn’t even going to matter to me in a matter of a few months. I spent so much time trying to fit in with these people who didn’t even care that much about me, I just thought they did.

I spent too much of my high school career doing this, until one day I realized it truly didn't matter.

I was happy with myself. I liked who I was and what I wore. I didn’t care if I was wearing high-end clothes or a carrying a designer handbag because I was happy. This was the best thing that ever happened to me. If you’re someone who is working to love yourself, don’t get discouraged. It’s always going to be a journey.

Everyone has something that they don’t like about themselves — if you didn’t, it wouldn’t be normal. The weird things about you are things that should be embraced, so please don’t let these bring you down. They make you unique and different than the person next to you.

Please don’t ever let anyone tell you that you aren’t worth it, or question you as a person. There’s enough cruelty in this world so please don’t be cruel to yourself. Tell yourself how much you’re worth. Tell yourself the good things — how smart you are, how funny you are, how far you’ve come. Don’t spend all of your time being down on yourself or comparing yourself.

The good things are what will help you learn to love yourself. I know it might be a hard journey, but the journey will be worth it in the end.