To whom it may concern,

Sorry, I don’t fit your idea of beauty.

When I was growing up I learned that the best way to be was skinny. The most important thing in life was to be pretty. Not smart, funny or charismatic; but pretty. In the movies the princess gets the prince because she never has a hair out of place; her waistline was the size of her neck and her eyes were as big as tennis balls.

When I got to middle school I started to wear makeup, bras and skinny jeans. In the most awkward years of my life, I found comfort in conformity. I followed Hannah Montana, Vanessa Hudgens and Hilary Duff. I asked myself; what would make me pretty to the boys? Would I have a boyfriend? How can I be pretty like the girls in Seventeen Magazine?

Today, I am constantly battered with images of ultra skinny women, whose ribs and collarbones are clearly visible. Their flat stomachs and thigh gaps are thrown in my face every few minutes, forcing me to judge and compare myself.

I find myself constantly apologizing for my appearance. I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I don’t fit your idea of beauty. Sorry my thighs touch and I haven’t hit 5’2. Sorry I squint when I smile and my front tooth is chipped. Sorry my stomach isn’t flat, and my arms jiggle when I wave.

Except for wait, no.

I’m NOT sorry.

I’m NOT sorry that I don’t fit YOUR idea of beauty. Honestly, that’s not my problem, it’s yours. And between you and I, I gave up caring what you thought of me a while ago.

No one will ever be perfect. That’s why models are photoshopped. It’s why even the prettiest celebrity you know uses Instagram filters. Perfect doesn’t exist, but instead I, in all my imperfect glory, am here.

I’m NOT sorry, because not only am I okay with my body, but I am happy. Happy because I am healthy (because skinny does not equal healthy). Happy I wear what I want despite people like you telling me, that crop tops are only for people with flat stomachs. It's why I don’t mind telling the world that yes, I wear a size 8 jeans. Like Brooke Davis said, “Zero is not a size.”

Dare to be you. If wearing makeup makes you happy, wear it. If it doesn’t, the world can deal with your natural, beautiful face! You only have one life, one body, and there is only ONE you.

So no I’m NOT sorry I don’t meet your standards. I’m toobusy giving myself the love and respect that I deserve.

Love,

A girl who's tired of being told what "pretty" looks like.