In modern society it can be very difficult to truly love yourself. The media projects images that we're all meant to interpret as “perfection,” making it even more difficult to see past our own flaws. Learning to accept yourself and realize that those flaws are what make you beautiful inside and out will allow you to be more confident and have a better, happier life. Channeling all of your unique qualities and making them stronger rather than trying to cover up or hide them makes you stronger as a person and challenges the "societal norms" of what makes someone perfect. Our imperfections are what we should really be focusing on.

Love the skin you’re in.

I know this is easier said than done but our bodies are our temples and should be worshiped as such. Being healthy should be a goal for everyone, but over-exercising, fad diets, and starving ourselves are habits that are definitely not healthy for only our bodies, but our minds and souls as well. In order to gain confidence you must love yourself unconditionally and be proud of the way you look at any size. Everyone has different skin tones, body shapes, and hair types that all make us diverse and beautiful in our own way. Trying to change that will only hinder your confidence. You have to let go of what society sees as beautiful today and realize you are beautiful every day no matter what everyone else thinks. Before you know it, your confidence will shine through and make you more beautiful than ever, and people will notice! Self-deprivation is ugly on everyone. It's time to stop the cyclical circle of shaming and learn to spread the love! We are all made to look DIFFERENT not the same. Let your “imperfections” evolve into your perfections and your life will become so much more positive and happy.

Stop Comparing

This may come as a surprise to you, but unedited pictures have become a rare commodity in today’s world. So every time you look at Instagram or a photo in a magazine and sigh, wishing you had “her body” or “her hair” or even “her life” consider this: she may be wishing the same thing.

Get Naked

Be comfortable with your own pure self. Spend a weekend without wearing any makeup. Go to work or class with your natural hair. When you strip down to who you truly are and accept that version of yourself as perfect in its purest form, makeup, hair and whatever else used to give you an extra confidence boost becomes something you want, not something you need.

Stop Judging

The second you stop pointing out everyone else’s’ flaws, it will be easier to forget what you conceive to be negative aspects about yourself. Instead when you walk around town try to veer away from the negative and point out the positive things you see in others. Bringing more positive vibes into your life will not only make you happier with yourself, it will also help you to feel happy for other people.

Find Yourself

When you stop trying to impress the world around you, you have more time to impress yourself with all the great things you can accomplish. The pressures and stress to look good can get in the way of achieving your full potential. Let go, and live a little! Then people will see pictures of you or hear stories and say wow I wish I had “her confidence” or “her positivity.” You can change the way society views beauty, but it starts with yourself.