I'm privileged. I can walk into any store, grab a pair of pants, go home and wear them that day. I never need to hem my clothes and I'm usually okay going out without a belt. I can shop in literally any store and my size will be available in a multitude of colors and designs. I never thought much of it; I thought this was normal. However, one of my best friends while growing up always needed to adjust her clothing. Pants that fit her waist were too long on her and pants that were her length were too tight. She always needed to hem her pants; it was just expected.

But why?

Why is it that certain people can walk into a store and purchase clothes while others can't?

Why is it that some stores cost extra if you want to purchase an XXS or an XXL? To punish individuals for their own, unique bodies?

Body "trends" are a popular thing. For a while, it was the curvy, hourglass figure. It then progressed to thigh gaps and being very waify. Then there were the mermaid thighs. Now there's something called "slim fit" when you have a thinker booty and thighs and a slim waist. These body "trends" are constantly publicized in tabloids and social media. New diets that are tailored to the new "trend" make their way around.

And again, I ask, why?

Why are we constantly encouraged to try and change our body type?

This is what lowers self-esteem and potentially triggers eating disorders. Self-love is what needs to be promoted.

According to Wikipedia, "The Body Positive Movement is a feminist movement that encourages people to adopt more forgiving and affirming attitudes towards their bodies, with the goal of improving overall health and well-being."

Body positivity was originally stemmed from fat-shaming and has spread to all other shapes and sizes of bodies. There are so many people who claim to be "body positive activists." However, some of these same people will praise the photograph of a slimmer girl in her underwear and shame that of a heavier girl. That is not body positivity. That is the exact attitude that needs to be eliminated. Body positivity is appreciating different bodies, no matter how similar or different they are from yours. It is about empathizing with the struggles that people of other body types have.

Children as young as five years old are starting to hate their bodies because they don't look like the bodies that are praised. They begin cutting out cookies, secretly exercising or hiding themselves away. My eating disorder started partially because I was fit and muscular and all models who were portrayed in magazines and on television were 5'11'' and 100 lbs. If they're beautiful, how could I possibly be beautiful if that's not how I look?

Different isn't a bad thing. It's our differences that make the world go 'round. We were not bred to be clones in this world; variety is the spice of life.

Tall is beautiful.

Short is beautiful.

Thin is beautiful.

Heavy is beautiful.

Muscles are beautiful.

Rolls are beautiful.

Cellulite is beautiful.

Wrinkles are beautiful.

Scars are beautiful.

Birthmarks are beautiful.

Hair is beautiful.

Bald is beautiful.

Acne is beautiful.

Glasses are beautiful.

The new "in" body is your body.

Flaunt it. Embrace it. It's the only one like you. It is uniquely beautiful. Gone are the days of striving to be someone that you are not and here are the days loving yourself for who you truly are.