About three years ago, I defied the belief that I would never abandon the pretty girl, long brown hair, and be gutsy enough to take after stars like Miley Cyrus and Jennifer Lawrence. From hair down to my breasts to hair I couldn't even run my fingers through, I shaved my head and mimicked the hair style Miley Cyrus rocked. My mind set behind shaving my head and leaving a long part on top was that if I was going to cut my hair short, I was going to go hard core. So in November of my junior year of high school, the head captain of the varsity cheerleading team and morning news anchor, cut her hair with not a thought of what was to come.

I got my fair share of comments ranging from "You look like a lesbian," to "Are you a boy or a girl?" And as a young lady who used to let those comments hurt my feelings and made me regret doing something that made me happy, it added to my already blooming anxiety and depression. I took less photos of myself, didn’t post as much on Instagram and decided I didn’t fit the beauty standard I once so badly wanted to disconnect from. My self confidence lowered to nothing, and with each comment like “dyke” or “man woman,” I spent nights crying myself to sleep.

But before I say some harsh words to you internet and in-person bullies, I have to thank you. Thank you for making me more confident. It took a while for me to finally say “screw it” and take charge of my appearance. I started going to school, making sure I was rocking that hair cut and looking my best, and was even hotter than the girls with a blanket of hair. I ignored the comments and wore them on my sleeve. I didn’t let anybody phase me. The comments then turned from hateful to beautiful and unique, and I no longer let anything the bullies said bothered me.

With that being said, I have something to say to you bullies. Listen, making disrespectful comments about someone's appearance is the most hurtful blow. As human beings born the way we are, we obviously can't change the way we were put on this earth to look. So remember in kindergarten when we were taught not to make fun of the little boy who was a little too overweight? Well, making fun of someone's hair is equally as degrading. We can't grow our hair back tomorrow to satisfy your stereotypical standards of female beauty.

With that being said, the fact that a woman has short hair does not signify her sexual preference. And also, just because boys generally have short hair does not mean girls can't have short hair and look feminine. The fact that you’re bullying someone for something that makes them happy because you couldn’t pull it off is terrible.

Power to us girls who have defied the laws of societal standards and did something as simple as cutting our hair.

Bullies, please realize having an opinion is okay, but having an opinion and being disrespectful are two different things. We can’t deny that your words hurt, so keep in mind the feelings of other people when your words become more negative than positive. Respect the feelings of others.

And do us all a favor and get with the times. This day in age, we are blessed with having people like Caitlyn Jenner defying your standards of beauty and human existence. Thanks.