If you're expecting a sad story that deals with self-infliction (both verbally, and physically), then you're partially correct. I am not asking for your pity, I simply want to share my relationship with myself.

I figured to start with the quote above. It took me years to come to this realization.

I walk around campus, and even with my friends, and yet they have not come to this. I hear people telling each other that they either "look beautiful in that outfit," "your hair looks amazing," or when someone simply glares at you because you feel great in your outfit.

Let me tell you something. Years passed me before I realized that I shouldn't give two sh*ts how people stare at me, or even comment at what I'm wearing. If you look good, and feel even better, then you rock that outfit boo. Because being comfortable in your own skin is what matters, not whether Kelly likes how you look today.

Not only have I come to both of these realizations, I've registered the notion of looking in a mirror, and actually feeling good. Months passed by where I refused to look at a mirror because I was terrified that I would just change because I personally lowered my self-esteem. Trust, that it is completely natural to dislike your body, but understand that your body is your temple - this represents you. If you destroy your temple, then you're destroying yourself.

Today, there are days when I absolutely feel like leftover trash from the day after Thanksgiving, but there are also days where I look in the mirror, and I tell myself: "Who's that fine a*s hunk??" These are the days I look forward to because I actually feel great, about myself.

Because I am a chunkier young woman, I have struggled with acclimating to the environments that are primarily thin, fit women. Not only with the environment, but also with society and how it imposes that in order to be beautiful, you must be thin. This is so far from wrong. Everyone is beautiful. No matter if you wear a hijab, have burn scars, over five hundred pounds, or even eighty pounds, every single being on this earth is beautiful.

That being said, I sincerely struggled with my stretch marks, love-handles, and all the other rolls I have - it's taken me a while to love them, but I can accept every single mark because they determine who I am today. Every lump and roll and mark, makes me, Isane.

However, I am not just advocating for those who struggle with their bigger size - many, many females also struggle while already being the "ideal" size. I know, personally as well, females that still believe they are too "fat," even though they are already under 90 pounds. These women struggle with just as much hate, even more self-hate, because many times, it is done privately (just as it is with thicker women). It is incredibly unfortunate that any woman feels the need to hate their body because they are uncomfortable with the one they have been given, but I stand by the notion of loving yourself. Love yourself until you can't anymore, because despite the marks, or lack of, you are still beautiful.

Women aren't the only one that struggle with their self-image either!! Please be aware that because of various advertisements (Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, even H&M) advocate for the "smaller," toned men - many of them don't show someone that is overweight, or someone that has various forms of acne. Many of these men are idealized to fit not only what society expects from men, but what we have created to symbolize "men."

All in all, remember to respect, love, and support yourself.