We live in a world of “perfect" images and bodies and people. We live in a world where we share parts of ourselves online with strangers through social media and online profiles. We live in a world where we’re often only shown the highlight reels of peoples’ lives and little of what actually goes on behind the scenes.

When we’re surrounded by these images of perfection, it’s almost a natural response to begin to compare yourself or your life to these images of other people and their lives. It’s easy to begin to feel not good enough or caught up in these impossible standards that society tends to set for us. It’s easy to feel like these images being fed to us over again are telling us how to live and who to be.

There’s this pressure that comes with the photoshop, the “perfect” Instagram profiles, the glamorous celebrities. It’s the pressure to be perfect. To fit into the impossible mold society has set for us - the thing is we can’t because like I said - these standards are impossible to live up to. There’s this pressure to impress, online and in person. There’s a pressure to be yourself, but if you’re not perfect please don’t be yourself. But all that pressure is too much and so unnecessary.

Push yourself to be the best you can be. Embrace and love yourself - flaws and all. Don’t give into the pressure and negative messages that society and the media are constantly telling us. I know that’s easier said than done. Self-love is a constant battle, but a battle worth fighting. You don’t have to be perfect and should never strive to be. Strive to be the best version of yourself, each and every day. And when you fail to be the best version of yourself, do not beat yourself up - you’re human. You will make mistakes. You won’t win every fight. Forgive yourself and promise to try again.

This pressure to be perfect can be incredibly damaging if we allow it to be. It’s hard to not listen to these messages being told to us over and over again, but there are also more positive messages to listen to such as the one I’m writing about now.

You, my friend, are perfect the way you are. I'm sorry for how cheesy that is, but it's true. Every struggle, every scar, every sad story that your heart bears, is what makes you, you -- and that’s something to celebrate, don’t you think? You are wonderful and loved, please don’t let anyone tell you differently. Please do away with anything or anyone that makes you think otherwise.