I think I became aware of how 'different' I was when I was in the sixth grade. All the other girls had different clothes than I did and didn't have to wear hand-me-downs from their older sisters. Makeup was a foreign concept to me and I was still finding my perfect balance between different deodorants and hair products. The knots I would get were horrendous because I had absolutely no idea how to brush my hair. It was hard during my awkward years just like it is for everyone. As I grew, I began to learn how to take care of myself when it came to buying my own clothes and learning how to do my makeup or fix my hair. I had a few style issues but it was nothing I could not fix within a few seasons. What did stay was much worse than any issue with my fashion? What stayed was realizing how much cellulite I had and how different I was. My nose had a bump in it, my forehead was a little big, and my knees were a little weird when I walked. I had the delusion that everyone else noticed. Some may have but not enough for it to mean anything to them. At the point of confident that I am now, I have reminders that I tell myself every so often when the cellulite looks a little too obvious or when I notice a difference in myself.

1. If you're not judging people, they're probably not judging you

When you pass someone on the street, you aren't an evil Judgmental Judy who thinks about other people's appearances to use it against them. The great thing is that everyone else won't be either. You cannot be anxious about what others think every time you go out, otherwise, you'll never have fun. It's important to remind yourself of this when you feel as if the lady in the corner is staring at your outfit or insulting your physical appearance. She may just be discussing the weather and looking around aimlessly. You never know.

2. Your bank account does not define you

So what you can't afford everything name brand! Just because someone else has everything Patagonia and Vineyard Vines does not mean that you have to. Find the fashion that truly makes you happy. I guarantee that you will find something on the clearance rack at Target or TJMaxx that will excite you and save you money. It's nice to have something name brand and quality every once in a while like a nice jacket for Christmas; however, when it comes to every day, it's much more practical to spend the same amount on five shirts from Ross rather than one expensive hat from Half-Moon Outfitters. In the end, you're happy about yourself and your bank account is too. You don't have to be like everyone else. You are unique and your own person with your own fashion sense.

3. Stop comparing yourself

The way your knees point is different and perfectly okay. Your chest size does not matter. The only reason that you see the difference between yourself and your peers is that you are comparing yourself. Once you learn to validate yourself, you will learn to love yourself. You have to love yourself before you can learn to love others fairly.

4. When you're with the right person they'll love you no matter what

The right person who comes along will not think of you in the same way that you do. When they look at you they will see a beautiful person that he/she handpicked out of a whole world of seven billion others. Honestly, they won't understand your insecurities and will most likely yell at you if you point out your flaws to them.

5. Stop apologizing for who you are

Do not apologize for how you look. I found myself apologizing for my forehead once. My forehead! Did I think I could just magically change it overnight for my seventh-grade boyfriend who lasted two days?(Yes, I was young and naive). You cannot change who you are and that is probably the best thing about humans. We are forced to stick with the bodies we were born with so that one day we will grow to love them. If we could change ourselves with the snap of our fingers, we would never stop and would never actually learn to love ourselves. It would be an unhealthy, never-ending cycle.

Love yourself for who you are inside and out. Never apologize to others because nothing can be changed. You are unique and different than anyone else in this whole world. Stop giving different a negative connotation and start using it to describe yourself. Use my list whenever you need a reminder that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being just you. No one is happy living a life filled with insecurities. Drop them in the past and grow into the person you want to become to conquer the world.