I have always had a hard time accepting myself. No matter how hard I tried, I was always too weird, too vulgar, too unladylike, too something. I fought with that for years because I always just wanted to fit in and be likable. But in recent months I have been working on teaching myself to be unashamed of who I am. I am the way I am for a reason and I'm proud of that.

I am unashamed to be sexual:

When it comes to the topic of sex and sexuality, I have always been incredibly fascinated with it and very outspoken about that. I can't tell you how many times in middle school that I got labeled a "pervert" and then in high school and college a "slut". But just because I embrace my sexuality and desires in a more outspoken way does not make me either of those things. I am proud of who I am and I would not be who I am if I had not had those experience that I did. They all led to me being who I am.

I am unashamed to be frank:

I am honest to a fault. I say what I'm thinking, regardless of how it may be perceived. Sometimes people will label me as "rude" or "brash", but I am just being honest. I don't like being lied to, and I try not to lie to others. I also know that I feel better when I am honest with both myself and others. So yes, my words might be harsh but they come from a place of good intentions and truth.

I am unashamed that I like to dream and think:

I am always lost in my own world, dreaming and scheming. I get called "weird" and "spacey", but I accept that. It is the creative thinkers who will solve our problems and create the stories of tomorrow. I create worlds that I can go to, characters to pass the time during workouts and bike rides. I create myself a better world.

I am unashamed to be passionate:

I give 110% in everything I do. I do not just do something, I invest my heart and soul into it. Sometimes this causes stress and people will tell me that I need to calm down, but I cannot. When I want to do something and care about it, I cannot just only half do it. I have to go all in, heart and soul. Yes, it can be stressful but I know that means that I care.

I am unashamed to seek knowledge:

I love to learn random factoids and trivia. This is probably one of my least endearing qualities since who wants to be around a person who can't let you enjoy anything without telling you some stupid tidbit you never needed to know. But my insatiable thirst for knowledge is part of my charm. I'm always learning and growing.

Embrace your "weird" and "not charming" qualities. These are the things that make you who you are.