For years I have struggled with not feeling good enough.

I have looked in the mirror countless times and felt disappointed by what I saw looking back at me. I have struggled with overeating, weight gain and thighs riddled with stretch marks. I’ve tried (and failed) to hide those signs of imperfection on my body. I’ve gone in and out of feeling okay about myself and the way I look. I’ve cried more times than I wish I had.

So what makes my story different from anyone else’s?

That’s just it -- nothing.

I know that I’m not the only one who has had a hard time loving myself. I’m sure that everyone has something about them that they wish they could change. Some even take drastic measures to fix those parts of themselves that they aren’t satisfied with. I know that I’m not the only person who has felt bad about parts of my body. And while I wouldn’t wish the pain I have felt on anyone, I find comfort in knowing that I’m not alone in my struggle. I think that we can all find at least a little comfort in that – we’re all in this together.

Sure, the group of people that has the most issues in this area is teenage girls. But I don’t mean to disregard anyone else’s insecurities. I know that anyone, regardless of their age, gender or any other factor can feel bad about the way they look at one point or another. And there are those rare people who say that they have never had problems with body images. Kudos to anyone who can honestly say that, because I know that I am not without my insecurities.

I know that I am no exception.

I play the “two steps forward, one step back” game with myself all the time. I think that I can safely say that the worst of it is over for me, but I know it’s not over. It hasn’t been easy learning to love myself just the way that I know, and I don’t think it ever will be.

But I know that in the grand scheme of things, I’ve had it pretty easy. Compared to the pain that many people feel, my experience has been pretty tame. I don’t mean to disregard my own feelings either, because it sucks to not feel pretty or to not feel good in your own skin. But I was never an extreme case. I never suffered with eating disorders or thoughts of suicide. I never felt like I didn’t want to live anymore. I just felt like I didn’t live up to society’s standards. I eventually came to realize that those standards that I thought I needed to reach were ridiculous and unrealistic.

It took me a long time to admit that I needed help and reach out, but that was really my first step in turning things around. So one thing I would say to anyone feel inadequate or insecure is to find people that trust to talk things through with. Don’t ever let yourself believe that your feelings don’t matter.

Don’t think for a second that you’re alone in this.

I can speak from experience in saying that things will get better. Sometimes things just have to get worse before they get better. But you are stronger than you think, and you will get through those tough times. If my story can help anyone, even slightly, then the struggle was worth it for me. And that’s something to smile about.