"You look like a giraffe." I still find this comment about my nose hilarious, because it honestly makes no sense. I am 5'1! I'm not even tall! But in the 7th grade, my world fell apart when I heard this. I never really became self-conscious of my nose until middle school, when appearance all of sudden mattered so much. I would be so angry my nose had this bone in the middle of it that I would try to squish it down to no avail. My dorsal hump deformity would stay securely in its place. It seemed like I would be stuck with this nose forever until someone mentioned that I could get a rhinoplasty (nose job). I kept telling myself that when I turned 18, I would do it. I would get a nose job. I thought I would feel better about myself if I got it done. "My mom got one, I thought "it's only natural that I get one too."

I can only breathe out of one my nostrils so my family and I tried to use insurance towards the surgery. I didn't qualify, but my parents said I could still get one if I wanted to. At the end of the day, the amount of money for the surgery didn't seem worth it to me. Even if I wanted to get one when I was older, I knew I had to appreciate the nose I have right now. As the last couple years have passed I thought about what it would be like to have a different nose on my face. Like a celebrity's nose. I would scroll through celebrity pictures for hours and think "mhm would the Kardashians nose look good on my face? Let's take a gander." I gave that up after a while, it was so tedious to picture myself with other people noses. I'm not Voldemort.

I already have a nose and it works just peachy.

That's when I knew the real self-acceptance work had to begin.

When I felt the most self-conscious I would stand in front of the mirror and pick out a couple characteristics I like about physically and mentally. When I did this, I realized that when I stopped focusing on my nose I was able to see the other fabulous qualities about myself. I was able to see these things for myself and I didn't feel like I needed other people's approval or reassurance that I was beautiful. Because I am. Upon reflection, my nose may be different and it has caused me mental strife in the past. But it is a part of me. It is unique. Just like me. And I don't want to get rid of it anymore.

Believe me, I know it is hard to tell yourself that you are beautiful especially with all the nonsense surrounding us on a daily basis. But when you have those negative thoughts about yourself, think about what your loved ones would say about you. All of the wonderful things that make you, you. You are the only you. There is not another person that is going to look or be you. And THAT is beautiful.