Becoming an adult in 2016 has been quite the adventure.

Being a woman in 2016? That's a completely a different story.

While women for years fought for basic human rights like the right to vote, choices in health care, and pay wages, it's beginning to look like all of our progress is coming to a stand still and slowly moving backwards. I feel like in no time, it will be offensive for a woman to wear pants and that her true place will actually be the kitchen. Dramatic? Maybe. But I will not be silenced in my fears and my hopes of only progressing forward.

While all of this is going on in the world with gender equality, it's important to know what kind of woman you want to be in this world. Women come in all shapes and sizes and I don't mean the physical aspects. I am talking about what you really are, what really makes you, you. No two women are the same nor will they ever be, no matter what we get for wages, our ability to vote, or right to certain health care.

I want to be the kind of woman who is immensely intelligent. Academically and socially, I want to be so smart and witty so that I can outthink through any situation, through any test, and know I have what it takes in my brain to conquer. I want to have the intellect of a philosopher and have conversations with the great minds of the world like Barack Obama, the Dalai Lama, and go back in time to bounce ideas back and forth with people like Albert Einstein and Mahatma Gandhi. I want my education and knowledge to bring me somewhere that no money ever could.

I want to be the kind of woman who loves herself and is completely obsessed with herself — the one who looks in the mirror and sees her inner soul and aura, not what she looks like, what make up she has, on or what clothes she's wearing. I want the ability to stare in the mirror completely naked mentally and physically and only see my morals, values, compassion, ideas, and strength instead of some pudgy regions, a stretch mark or two, or some "dimples" on my thighs.

I want to be the kind of woman who is hard to please. I want to refuse to be treated any less than perfect and will not settle for anything less than I deserve. I want to appreciate what I get, but not be pleased (or at least show it) until I am getting everything I deserve from people and life. This goes for friends, employers, family, strangers, partners. In addition to people, it goes for jobs, my education, even food, money, and more.

I want to be the kind of woman who is fearless. Every challenge I am faced with I want to laugh in its face. I want to be the thing that scares my adversities. I want to jump from every airplane and into love every day. I want to walk with my head held high when others would want to turn around and run. I want to be an advocate for anyone who is afraid and be brave and fearless for them.

I want to be the kind of woman who is fierce. I want to walk into a room and have everyone stop and stare. No, not because of my "beauty" but because of the power and bravery that radiates from me. I want everyone to know I will slay everything I attempt to do and be no less than ferocious. I want to be so fierce so my onlookers feel their blood stop and their hearts sink. I am and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with.

Now, if you read this and think I sound like a bitch, maybe you just haven't gone through what I have gone through.

Or maybe you have and just did not learn they way I did.

You have to declare loud and proud what kind of woman you want to be.