I've been thinking a lot about myself lately. Not in a conceited way, but more of a "What am I doing?" "Who am I?" kind of way. I've been thinking of all the labels other people have put on me, and thinking of all the labels I've accepted. It's really making me reevaluate how I see myself.

At home, my dad always made jokes about my weight, no matter what size I was. He thought it was just a joke, but to me, it was serious. That was the first label I remember accepting, "fat." This label grew and eventually caused me to struggle with an eating disorder.

When I was old enough for makeup, I didn't really want to wear it. Not until college, not until sorority life. Being in a sorority changed me in more ways than I would like to admit. It made me care even more about what people thought because I wasn't just myself anymore. I represented a group full of people.

I love sports. Anytime I talk to a guy about them, they act like I shouldn't. They quiz me because it's insane for a girl to care about something other than her looks. Just because I'm a girl does not mean I don't understand what is going on. It doesn't make me any less of a woman. "Tomboy" was the label I got for this.

Emotional is a label most girls have. I've been told I care too much. Sure, I pour my heart into things. When has that been a bad thing? Why is this generation so set on not caring? Caring for people is an amazing thing. Caring for people and opening up to them, that's how you truly get to know them.

Star Wars, Doctor Who, Marvel, etc., why is that so bad for a girl to enjoy? Why is being interested in those things associated with being a nerd or a dork? These things are awesome and incredibly interesting.

I've always loved to read. I'm a total book worm. In elementary school I used to go to the library every day because I could never put a book down until I finished it. I loved to learn. Learning knew things was what sparked my interest. I didn't want to just be content and stuck where I was at.

I love music, of all kinds. I enjoy books. I believe that walks in nature are essential. I may be a nerd. I may pour my feelings out and wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm loud. I make inappropriate jokes at inappropriate times. There are cracks in my life where bad things have happened. I've learned from them. Some of these labels are okay to have, some I'm working on. But, even though I'm not completely over some of them, I'm accepting who I am. I'm weird, and that's okay with me. I'll wear that label proudly.