I am all about self- love and embracing your inner beauty. It is so important to be able to talk yourself up, love everything about yourself and use it to your advantage. Though it is hard to do all the time, being your biggest fan is one of the best things you can be.

This is why I am, and always will be, a die-hard supporter of "selfie culture."

The term "selfie" has gotten some serious flack since it was coined in the mid- 2000s. Older people hate it for promoting narcissism in the younger crowds, and they always have something to say when it comes to the new term. It's not all their fault though-- flaunting yourself in any way was not exactly appropriate when they were younger.

Baby Boomers are not the only ones who hate the selfie lifestyle, however-- some teens and young adults are avid selfie bashers, themselves. But why? What is really so wrong with taking selfies?

The answer is: Nothing!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking selfies. In fact, taking selfies can actually be good for you.

Here are a few reasons everyone should be #teamselfie:

1. They can improve your mood

Having a bad day? Find some killer lighting, open up your phone camera and make some goofy faces. You can almost feel the bad vibes going away-- how can anyone be unhappy when they're making silly faces for no reason?

I might sound crazy, but give it a try. If all else fails and you can't muster up any faces that put you in a better mood, you may still get a sassy selfie out of it, and those are always worth keeping.

2. They do wonders for your self- esteem

No joke-- one time I had a really terrible couple of weeks. I didn't like anything about myself and it drained my motivation level to almost nothing. One morning, I woke up and took a Snapchat selfie to send to one of my friends, and I thought, "hey, I don't look too terrible today!"

I took selfies every day for about a week after that, and it made me feel (no exaggeration) a million times better about myself. I found comfort in making myself look like a human and taking a selfie in the morning. It gave me something to look forward to, as weird as it sounds.

3. They're great documentation of how you've changed over time

The atrocity above is, believe it or not, one of my very first selfies. I see my sixth grade self decked out in Aeropostale, some knockoff, dollar store shades and a serious middle- part, and I realize how much I've changed since then.

Selfies are a great way to look back on yourself, your friends and loved ones to see their transformations. It also makes for awesome blackmail-- one "like" on a Facebook profile picture from seven years ago and someone's middle school travesty of a selfie is back on news feeds everywhere!

4. They allow you to be artistic

Taking selfies allow you to bring out your inner Picasso, just maybe without the cubism. From Snapchat filters to the makeup options available on the app "Perfect365", you can take all the creative liberties you please on your selfie.

For those who are less art-inclined like myself, finding filters and things to make your bathroom mirror pictures look more professional can be a new and exciting creative outlet. My go- to app is Afterlight-- it hasn't let me down yet!

5. They put you in control

Selfies are great because you are your own photographer. You know your best angles and what you like best about your features, and selfies are a perfect place to showcase those.

Often, pictures that other people take of us can lead to severe self- esteem issues, especially if they depict us in a far worse way than we see ourselves. Having the ability to take control and show the world how you actually see yourself is liberating and a great self- confidence boost.

Don't ever let anyone take away your freedom to selfie. Selfie by yourself in private, in public, with your friends or even with strangers (as long as they're cool with it). Unleash your creativity, or just use them as a way to show a little self love.

Like your friends selfies, like celebrity selfies and, if you're into it, like your own selfies. They can only get better from here!