The early morning is the hardest part of each day. The warm comfort of my bed is challenged as I proceed with the frigid walk to the bathroom, only to be faced by my biggest enemy: the mirror. I feel as if every demon I have ever faced is trapped within the reflective pane that hangs above my sink. A few hide behind that one front tooth that sticks out further than the other. A few more dance around the dark circles under my eyes. The rest are scattered between the small patches of grey hair, the bald spots, that one freckle that is just too big, my crooked nose...

The demons continue to accompany me throughout the day; at work, school, with friends. They remind me that I left the house without checking to see if my hair was just right. When a passerby grants me a glance they tense my muscles and force my body to close in on itself. They're only protecting me; how else would I survive if that stranger I saw one time in my whole life had seen that my tummy poked over the top of my jeans that day?

At the end of the day, their shrieking ruptures my ears as I wipe off the mask of concealer only to reveal more imperfections that I hadn't noticed before.

Insecurity is an inescapable prison in which we are all, to some extent, "lifers." Every single human you will ever speak to, hear of, pass by, think of, or conceptualize has some form of insecurity. Unfortunately for some insecurity is not so much just an anxious feeling, but an aggressive form of self-loathing. I am very familiar with the feeling of self-loathing, it has been something I have struggled with since middle school.

Learning to love yourself is a long and challenging process, but there are a few simple things that I do every day (that you can do for yourself as well) to remind myself of my worth:

First, I face the mirror. No matter how tired I look or how messy my hair is I tell my reflection that she is beautiful. Behind those swollen eyes and crooked nose is a caring, hardworking, kind woman and that I am sure of. Always acknowledge your personal beauty as well as your physical beauty.

I think of everyone who loves me. Sometimes it's easy to feel like the whole world is against you and no one really cares, but I know that isn't true. If anything I know I always have a pup who wants nothing more in this world than the warm comfort of my cuddles.

I remind myself of my accomplishments. As a college student, I constantly struggle with feelings of inadequacy. To combat this I think back to all the struggles I have overcome within the past few years. I think about how I am a full-time student who works hard. I think about how I have made it this far, alive, and that is an accomplishment within itself. As so eloquently stated by one of my favorite musicians, Billy Joel, "just surviving is a noble fight."

I treat myself. It's 7am, it's monday, my morning isn't complete without a coffee and a bagel.

Most importantly, I remember that the only judgement in my life that truly matters is my own. As long as I am working towards a goal or a dream I am happy.

Be you for all that you are. Embrace your imperfections. Embrace judgement. Don't rob yourself of a fulfilling life because of insecurity.

Love yourself.