Last week I got my first B of the semester. It hurt. I was frustrated, upset with myself, and I couldn’t help but think of how it would’ve ended up if I had done something differently. After a minute or so of this absurd war with myself, I stopped. What good is it going to do beating myself up about something I can’t control? I made a mistake, and that’s okay. We learn from our mistakes, and we move on. Right?

We do learn from mistakes, but society tends to teach us that mistakes are unacceptable. That to be worth anything in this world, we must be perfect. I’ve been trying to be perfect since I was a baby, and let me tell you something – it’s impossible. I’ve spent my entire life as a perfectionist trying to reach unrealistic expectations, and I’m sick of it. I’m done with being a pawn in a society that tells you you’re not good enough if you aren’t a certain way.

If being different is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.

For goodness’ sake, all humans can’t be the same. That would be scary. One person can’t know everything, do everything, be good at everything. It’s just not realistic. So who comes up with these expectations that are broadcasted through magazines, social media, retail stores, etc. It’s like someone combines the features that they like best in every single person they’ve ever met. And they take these characteristics, mix them together, and announce them to the world. If you don’t meet these standards, then that’s too bad.

In the U.S. alone, millions of individuals are affected by depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicide. Our society is causing this – the bullying, the low self-confidence, the feeling like you amount to nothing – and not enough is being done to stop it.

I'm not afraid anymore to admit that I'm not perfect. I embrace my mistakes and my flaws because they help make me who I am. I don't look like a Barbie with stick straight hair and long legs, I don't get an A on every single test, and I don't have loads of friends following me around. But I do have a figure that I'm proud of, I do work as hard as I can in my classes, and I do have all the friends I need.

We need to teach people that it’s okay to be different. There’s no shame in raising your hand in class and saying a wrong answer. There’s nothing wrong with wearing clothing that isn’t “cool” according to fashion blogs. There’s no reason to try to be someone you’re not. I'm not perfect, and neither are you.

In a world where you can be anything, be yourself, because you’re perfectly imperfect.