Hey,

If you're reading this, you may know me, but you may not. I look around every day and see my friends, my classmates, my coworkers, and the strangers who I pass by on my way to the dining hall. Although it is becoming prominent, with increased messages of self-love and acceptance in the current media, I am deeply saddened at the things I hear from my friends. Let me break this down into the different categories I feel that the people I care about fit into.

Women

Please for crap's sake, stop putting yourself down. Every single one of us is built differently, and that does not make you any less than the kid who sits next to you in class. She may be a supermodel by today's standards, but Marilyn Monroe is still considered one of America's beauty icons. By today's standards, she would not fit under the category of supermodel. I could go on for years about this, but please, stop putting yourself down, especially around me. I am not complimenting you to be nice or to make you feel better. As a woman who loves women, it goes against every fiber of my being to lie to you. Plus, I am a terrible liar, just ask my mom. Anyways, you're beautiful because you're you. Please remember this. As a woman, I get it, I totally do. But please, stop and ask yourself what good putting yourself down is going to do the next time you think about doing it.

Also, if you do not want to abide to gender norms, don't! Being comfortable in your own skin will make you feel more like you, and lead you on the path to happiness.

Men

Guys, if you don't want to abide to gender norms, don't! Be happy in your own skin, and you will feel more like you and be closer to self-acceptance. Girls and guys can be mean, I get it. If you don't fit under the supermodel category, who the HELL cares? Take care of yourself and be happy in your skin.

Transgender and Non-Conforming Folks

I have the utmost respect for you folks. You all are trailblazers, utterly beautiful and fabulous because of your bravery to step outside of the norms. Even though I can not even pretend to know what it is like to be in your shoes, you have a friend and a supporter in me. You folks inspire me with your bravery to step outside the norms. You folks inspire me to try to accept and love myself for who I am, even when I see nothing but the worst in myself.

EVERYBODY IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD

You deserve the best in this world. If it's a relationship, listen carefully to the people closest to you. If they tell you they don't like him/her/them, please listen, no matter how hard it may be. For me, I judge based on whether or not I think I could treat the person better. If you're reading this and are curious about how I would feel, listen to the song Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes. If you think someone (regardless of whether it's your friend or your fish) would say this to you, please for the love of chocolate milk, take a moment to think for yourself. Long, probably boring story short, take care of yourself mentally and physically, remember that you're not alone (EVER), and remember that you do NOT have to do anything to change yourself (unless you're in medical trouble, please take care of that, we need you alive).

You are not alone. You are loved. You have a friend in me if you need.

-AD