So this thought came to me first due to it being summer time and then because of a show I watched. It got me thinking about one's self-confidence when it comes to our bodies. this is especially true during the summer.

I think we've all experienced this before at some point in our lives. Some may even struggle with this a lot more often, so I thought I'd just talk about my experience with this for starters.

I'd like to think that I've always been on the more positive side when it comes to appreciating myself and my appearance, but I also can't say I've never had negative thoughts here and there.

I've always tried to keep an attitude of as long as I love myself it doesn't matter what others think. However, as I got older, it became a bit harder to agree with that statement. So here are some things I've struggled with. For starters, I'm mixed so I've got a lot of different nationalities coming together. I'm proud of my ethnicity but it hasn’t always been easy mainly because of my hair. Because part of my nationality is African-American so I have really curly hair, or to be blunt, I have an Afro.

In elementary school sometimes I was mistaken for a boy because my hair wasn't straight and in middle and high school all the girls would always tell me I should straighten my hair. I knew that most of the time that nothing mean was meant by it but sometimes it's hard not to let that get to you. I've had glasses since middle school and braces since high school. Add to the fact I've always been a bit more tom-boyish sometimes I couldn't help but think that I wasn't as pretty as the other girls.

Now that I'm in college, I've grown into my looks and learned how to manage my hair. I can say that I take pride in myself, and because there are others out there who look like me and that doesn't make me feel so different. It became easier to say things like, “Yes I have curly hair and it can be a mess sometimes but that's just how it is and I love it!”or “Yes I have glasses, so what?” (Braces are still a work in progress) However, come summertime those insecurities I'd worked on overcoming would rear their head.

Summertime is all about getting a break from school and having fun with friends and family. But it also where self-confidence can play a big part. Or I guess I should say lack of. Summer is also the time when I feel my self-confidence can fluctuate a lot. Thinking about how to get the perfect summer look so you can show off all the changes when you get back. It can be hard to not focus on the physical aspects when it comes to how I see myself.

For instance, going back to my glasses, I've thought about getting contacts before and most of that thought is practicality, like when I'm at the beach or pool, but then there is that 2%. That 2% represents my insecurities saying maybe then I'll be prettier. Or going on social media and seeing my friends posting their summer pics and giving and starting to compare myself to them. Like all the girls posting pictures with their "perfect" swimsuit photo and a nice tan.

I can say I've fallen victim to trying to get that “perfect summer tan" only to get burned by it (literally and figuratively). It can be hard to not think about that and accepting that those expectations are unrealistic because I am enough. Not the me I want to be but the me I am right now at this moment.

Now I just want to point out in no way is it wrong to want to improve yourself mentally or physically. If it helps you feel more like you and will really improve your sense of self, go for it! However, don't let it become a chore, something you feel obligated to do. Do it because you want to but know when to pump the brakes when you're going to far to try to change yourself.

"Don't trade your authenticity for approval." Just be you, do what works best for you, and makes you happy. Everyone is unique in their own way and don't let anyone else say otherwise.