In 2016, you will see a lot of backlash for being yourself. Even with the SCOTUS ruling in June 2015 over same-sex marriage, many conservative people are still against two people being in love. If you happen to be transgender, you are getting backlash for going to the bathroom. It’s impossible these days to be who you want to be without getting some kind of negativity. And that sucks, but it’s also kind of a good thing. Well, I mean, right now it doesn’t seem like it. But in the future, all of that negativity will build you up because you will realize that everyone has an opinion, and most of them don’t matter. What matters is your opinion of yourself. And let me tell you, you are pretty freaking awesome.

I guess what this article is supposed to be is a reminder that you are amazing. You are wonderful, and you are worth it. Be who you want to be, live how you want to live, and people will flock to you naturally. Don’t try to chase people that you think will accept you. If you have to chase them, they aren’t worth the effort. However, if you choose to live your life YOUR way, people will see that you are awesome in your own way, and they will love you for you. Those who matter won’t care, and those who care won’t matter.

I struggle with my self-image every day. I will totally admit that. Some days I just sit in my room and think about how people don’t like me, but it is so untrue. I have so many people around me that care about me and love who I am. Because they see that I am myself, and that I don’t try to hide the fact that I am a little over the top sometimes. I am a little flamboyant, but that’s who I am. I’m not afraid to be called names because that’s all they are, names. Just words with no actual meaning. I am myself because “I wanna know whoever says they love me knows all of me.” (Thanks Chris Crocker for this line.)

And also, don’t listen to that little voice in your head that says you aren’t good enough because you are. Anything you believe you can do, you CAN do. It will take some time and effort, but in the end, you will be so happy about the chances you did take instead of the ones you chose to ignore. “Life isn’t measured in the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breaths away.” So go out, be a photographer, or a writer, or an actor, or a mechanic, or a welder. Do what makes you happy. And do it because it makes you happy, not because it brings in money. Because in the end, rich or poor, we all have the same destination. So, make your trip there as exciting as you can.