Insecurities. We all have them. Whether it's the need to fit in, the worry of not being accepted or the worry of being judged, or feeling insecure in your appearance for any reason. Insecurities plague us all and in completely different ways.

One of my biggest insecurities is being accepted. I constantly worry about my ability to talk with people and make a good impression, and often I feel quite awkward in social situations such as meeting new people or hanging out with someone you haven't before. And the thing that gets me is that we all have insecurities, but we don't talk about these things. We brush insecurities off in jokes or pretend that its not a big deal. But it is. Insecurities are real and they affect how we see ourselves and how we come off to others.

When someone says they have an insecurity, don't make fun of them, or pretend that they're making a big deal out of nothing. To them it is a big deal. It is how they feel about themselves and we need to take that seriously. We need to hear people out and let them explain why they have that insecurity, because in all reality they have insecurities for a reason. Whether they were bullied or made fun of, even if it was a joke between friends, people don't just develop insecurities for no reason.

The only way for someone to out grow an insecurity is through support from friends and loved ones, so why do we constantly brush off insecurities as no big deal? If your friend is insecure about her appearance, telling her that she has nothing to worry about and calling yourself a whale or body shaming other people will not help your friend get over her insecurity- and it goes for both males and females. Insecurities aren't gender biased. They happen to everyone. So let's take these things seriously, brushing off and pretending that a friend's insecurity is made up isn't helping anyone. Playfully joking about someone's insecurities isn't helping. Overriding a friend's insecurity by comparing them to others isn't helping.

It's time we take insecurities seriously and listen to our loved one's when they feel like talking about their insecurities. We need to support them and help them find a way to live with or move past their insecurity. And above all, don't judge anyone based on their insecurity, even if you feel that they have nothing to feel insecure about. This isn't about what you think, it is about how they feel. Don't invalidate someone else's feelings because that isn't helping either.

We all have insecurities and it's time we face them instead of ignoring them.