Why is everyone so into sizes? What does it matter if you are bigger? And most importantly, why does it matter what clothes you wear? The brand names don't make you who you are, you do that on your own.

As a teen, I had a struggle with wanting to fit in. I know, it's stupid, I learned that later. I went shopping with my mom and couldn't fit into Abercrombie and Fitch, and let me tell you, it kinda hurt. My mom took me to the cafe to get some food (the exact opposite of what I wanted to do). She told me two things that I will never forget and am happy to say I follow to this day:

1. A number is just a number. Here it could be a 10 there it could be an eight.

2. All that matters is that you are happy with yourself and how you look.

I was a cheerleader in high school and with that, everyone thinks you have to be thin, pretty, and slutty. Which isn’t true at all. Stereotypes are so overrated. Even now after high school, I have gained weight because let's be real, I don't practice three hours a day, six days a week anymore. I’m in a sorority, work full time, and go to school full time. If you love something, you will make time for it. I enjoy going to the gym, and I have had some progress, but it's not what it used to be.

I am not one of those girls that sits there and says my ideal weight is 120. I haven't seen that number since middle school and probably won't see it ever again. I would be skin and bones at 120, and who thinks that is attractive?

Don’t let brands and sizes disturb you—learn to be comfortable with yourself. It may take some time and maybe even some help, but there is no reason you shouldn’t be comfortable in your own skin. Fix it, change it, rearrange it. But it all starts with you.

If there is anything that I hope you take away from this article it is this:

It is okay. Every girl has been there before. Don't get hell bent on being a certain size; focus on being healthy. If you say you can't, then you never will. Above all else, be yourself. Don't let the world get the best of you because what looks good on her could look bad on you and vice versa. You are born to be different. So embrace yourself. Go buy those jeans you want that make you look so good even if the number isn't what you want it to be. Or even that shirt that you have been eyeing but just don't want to buy the larger size. Whether you shop at Hollister or JCPenny, just love yourself and what you wear.

Remember, you are beautiful inside and out. You may be a size two or a 12, but that doesn’t mean that you are ugly or fat. It just makes you, you. So take some time, get out a piece of paper and a pen, and write down everything you love (and hate) about yourself, and embrace every word that you write down. Take a deep breathe in and then as you exhale let it all out. Be-you-tiful 12. Never felt so good.