We all want to be accepted, it's just basic human nature. We all have our fears, our insecurities, our quirks. Whether it involves a relationship, a friendship, our parents, or teachers, we become so wrapped up in trying to fit a mold of how we think we should act, or trying to say what we think we should say, that we lose ourselves in the process.

This constant war we fight within, our inner struggle, is most certainly real.

It's similar to the old personification of our conscience with the angel and demon on our shoulders, constantly critiquing every choice we make, making us second guess ourselves. Though I like to think of it like the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot toys, invented in 1964.

There's a great book I've read called The Inner Game of Tennis which heavily discusses this topic, in easy terms. They talk about our internal struggle with Self 1, which is constantly telling the one self what to do, and Self 2, the silent doer.

If you stop and think about what goes on in your head, there is a constant dialogue. Self 1 is constantly ordering Self 2 around, and Self 2, afraid to fight back, blindly follows. The relationship that is present between these two is not a friendly one.

The battles we fight within may spur from fear, fear of losing, fear of not improving, fear of looking bad in front go others. It may come from a lack of self-confidence, self-condemnation, poor concentration, feeling like trying too hard, trying to be a perfectionist, being self-conscious, frustration, anger, boredom, expectations, having a busy mind, the list just goes on and on.

We have to learn to stop fighting with ourselves. It isn't healthy, it is normal, but it isn't healthy, and bottling things up, or holding yourself back from what you want, tends to only make things worse on you.

Try not to worry about what our crush may think if we act a certain way, or say something. You want to tell someone you like them? Tell 'em! Something embarrassing happen? Laugh at yourself before someone else does, because you probably did look funny falling over. We all make mistakes. We have to learn not to worry about what someone may think if we wear a certain outfit, or listen to certain music, or watch certain shows, or like someone of the same gender, or identify more with another gender. These things are what makes us unique, what makes us us.

Stop letting that little voice in your head tell you what to do. A lot of times we find ourselves being an advocate for others, but when are we going to find the strength to advocate for ourselves? We're are afraid of being ourselves, because of how others will perceive us, but I would much rather be my own person and be happy, than spend my life worrying about what other people want, or expect, me to be, and be miserable.

Stop, take, a second, breathe, and win your inner struggle.

You're beautiful, you're smart, you're funny, you rock, you can do it!

You're you, and that's an amazing thing.

Your happiness starts with you. So next time you get in a fight with yourself, start to get self-conscious, and that little voice starts making you second guess yourself, sock 'em a good one.

Take control. Live for you.