Let me be a bit candid.

I'm not thin,

But I'm not... *gasp* fat.

I'm a woman,

And I am strong.

As of recent, I've come to terms with my shape. Of course, this doesn't mean I don't have my ~days~. Especially when I am at school, I am surrounded--maybe suffocated-- by body image. My friends, teachers, coworkers, the woman I talked to briefly in the Kroger checkout line, they make comments.

"Ugh, I have GOT to hit the gym."

"I've eaten like total crap today."

"Ew, I can't believe you're okay with eating that."

"But it's sugar free!"

"OMG body goals."

No, I'm not saying people don't have their ~days~ either, but what I am saying, is that in some way, I'm angry.

I have met so many wonderful, BEAUTIFUL, women and men (yes, men too!) who suffer from food guilt, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, or even just pure envy from staring at a random girls' Instagram you found on your explore page that is single handedly destroying your self confidence.

The thing is, it is January. America's most common New Years Resolutions explore everything from losing weight, to being healthier, or to look good naked. These aren't bad things- if you do them well and correctly, yet, many people, especially girls my age (around 20) can find themselves slaving in the gym or doing more math calorie counting than in the first week of their calculus class.

For these reasons, I encourage everyone this "resolution season" to find beauty and satisfaction in yourself in safe ways. Most aren't born with the hip displacement of Kylie Jenner or the hallowed cheeks of Lily Rose Depp. But what you are born with, is a beautifully intricate brain, mind, and body that allows you to accomplish wonderful feats of mankind alongside a huge world of opportunity ahead of you. Whether you're 14 or 64, you will never be younger than you are right this second. So, girls, boys, men, women, if you're goal is to shed a few lbs, or become stronger than you ever have been- do it. But heaven forbid, stay grounded. Take time to believe in yourself, ride with the ups and downs, and if your resolutions begin to fall through, don't fret. Resolutions are about setting goals, not about meeting ends.

I'm not thin,

But I'm not fat.

I'm a woman,

And I am strong.

Be smart this season, comrades. And to that, I bid adieu.

"Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay."

-Simone de Beauvoir (female existentialist philosopher and overall badass)