It all starts with small patches and uncomfortable late nights. Then, it goes to the stares that people give you when they look at you as well as the different parts of your body that you have exposed. It seems that you can somehow hear the thoughts that come across their minds as you walk by: Her legs are ugly. Does she have a disease?

You can't wear certain clothes, and for the clothes that you do wear, you have to constantly force yourself to believe that they suit you. But in reality, you feel that they don't. Sometimes you feel like you're not normal when you really just want to live life without having to cover your body cover the patches, the roughness, and the discoloration. You want to have the same confidence that you had before discovering you had eczema or some sort of other skin irritation. Granted that some may not even pay any attention to it and may make you feel better about yourself. Not everyone overlooks such things, and they cause some people to lose their inner self-confidence and develop many insecurities.

I am that somebody. I am that person who lost herself along the years. I am happy to say that the inner girl who always thought she had to be accepted died months ago. She no longer worries about being accepted or hiding underneath jackets, hoodies, or any other clothing just to make herself feel confident. Be true to yourself and be confident in the skin you're in. Remember, not all people are made to be the same and have the same type of skin that you have. Be you and be proud of it. In fact, God made us all different for a reason.