Today's society lets us fail to perceive ourselves and others as we truly are, in our purest and most unique form, all too easily. So many people struggle with confidence issues because we learn that we must succumb to the average social norms in order to get by; we are told, under false pretenses, that it is not okay to be our own individual selves. The following lists consist of important things that we all need to understand, in contrast to what we are falsely taught to believe.

Girls:

1. “Do your squats, eat your vegetables, wear your red lipstick and don’t let boys be mean to you.” Just about every “white girl” Twitter account has tweeted this at some point, but it’s something to be taken very seriously.
2. Fat is not synonymous with ugly. So even if you are fat, it’s okay! Fat is a good thing, it means you have enough food to eat, and that you probably have a roof over your head. So cherish your tummy rolls, your stretch marks (lightning tattoos!), and the cellulite on your toosh.
3. Skinny does not necessarily mean anorexic. Just because people are becoming more appreciative of girls who are on the bigger and curvier side, it doesn’t mean you’re any less special than you were before. You’re still beautiful and important, too.
4. It’s okay to be confident. It’s okay not to be.
5. If someone is paying too much attention to your chronic acne, or even that itty-bitty pimple on the side of your nose; if someone is too focused on the shading of your brows and concealer; or if someone cares more about what you’re wearing, rather than who you are as a person — then they’re not somebody you want to associate with.
6. It doesn’t matter who you like — boys, girls, or even nobody at all — no-one can tell you that you’re not allowed to.
7. It doesn’t matter if you weren’t born a girl, either. If you’re anatomically a boy, but you are a girl, don’t let anybody stop you from being yourself. You’re so brave.
8. Wear as much or as little makeup as you want, any day you want to. Dye and style your hair as often as you desire. Whether you love the art/transforming ability of makeup, or the purity of your under-eye bags, don’t let anybody tell you that you have to change anything about that.
9. Remember to get physical at least 3 times a week — even if it’s just walking your dog. It’ll make you feel so much better, mentally and physically.
10. You don’t have to be feminine. You don’t have to look hot if you don’t want to. Do not act dumb; it’s not cute, it’s not impressive, and it won’t make you look better. You don’t have to be sweet and soft-spoken and you definitely don’t have to love cooking, cleaning, and nurturing others. Don’t feel obligated to be like that just because it’s what people expect. You don’t owe anybody anything.
11. You don’t have to order the salad around your girlfriends. You don’t have to order a cheeseburger around your guy friends. You can order yourself a dessert, and you don’t have to split it with anybody if you don’t want to.

Guys:

1. You don’t have to be over 6-feet-tall to be attractive. It might be a popular attribute nowadays, but it’s not something you can change, so don’t fret. You’re perfect just the way you are.
2. You don’t have to have intense, chiseled abs. You don’t have to be big and teddy-bear like. Embrace your ribs. Embrace your rolls. Skinny is not meek. Fat is not ugly.
3. Stay humble. Embrace those muscles, if you have them: don’t feel guilty because you resemble the dudes in the magazines. Just don’t get cocky about it, either.
4. Express your feelings; convey your emotions. Just because you’re a man doesn’t mean you have to “be a man” (one of the most misogynistic phrases in the book.) Cry it out, bro. You deserve it.
5. Like I said previously: it doesn’t matter if you like girls, boys, anybody at all, or nobody at all. Like whoever you want. Fall in love with whoever you want. You do you. And remember: chivalry doesn’t have to die out yet, and no means no.
6. If you are anatomically a girl but you are a guy, that’s awesome — don’t ever let anybody hold you back. I give you credit for what you have to deal with. Wear the hell out of those boxers.
7. But also, boys, wear skirts and heels if you want to. As a girl, I admit that it’s unfair that I’m “allowed” to cross-dress and be considered “sexy,” but you’re “not allowed” to without being ridiculed. I want that to change.
8. Order a salad as an entrée if you want. Burgers and steaks aren’t a male obligation: they’re a choice.
9. You don’t have to enjoy sports and video games, but you’re also allowed to live and breathe them if you want to.
10. Being a man doesn’t mean you’re always wrong, or that you’re stupid, or immature. The phrase “happy wife, happy life” doesn’t mean anything unless you’re actually happy.
11. Don’t be afraid to wear makeup! Just because it’s advertised dominantly by women and for women, it doesn’t mean only women can enjoy it. Use that concealer and rock that guy-liner.

Now, I'm definitely a hypocrite, as I'm just as vulnerable to society's immense pressures to be a "perfect" girl as the next person; but I still want each and every one of you who reads this to really let the above points sink in. I believe everybody deserves to accept themselves as they are to the greatest possible extent.