As I’m scrolling through Twitter or listening to my friends talking, I’m always coming across phrases like, “Blake Lively is so perfect; I wish I could be her,” or, “I wish I was as pretty as her.” This proves how much appearances impact girls in our society. I’ve realized that there are numerous traits that I would rather be recognized for than being pretty. Here are some of them:

1. Hardworking

I’m a girl who works for what she wants, whether it’s my fitness goals, my grades or successes in my career. When I set my mind to something, I often don’t quit until I’ve completely finished the job, and I want others to be able to see the determination and diligence inside of me.

2. Trustworthy

My friends often come to me, wether it be for advice or just for a listening, sympathetic ear. I’m someone that people can easily trust, and I love being able to support the people I love in any way I can.

3. Courteous

I was raised in the South, and I am southern through and through. Being Southern comes with it’s perks, one of which is manners. I’ll always put a napkin on my lap when I’m eating, address adults as “sir” or “ma’am” and say “please” and “thank you.” I was raised to be polite, and it is one of the traits I will never let go.

4. Brilliant

I don’t just want to just be considered smart; I want to be thought as creative. I have big ideas, clever ways of solving problems, and a genuine love of new knowledge.

5. Observant

I often notice the smaller things; I’ll pick the single daisy out of a field of dandelions. If you casually mention your favorite band, color, or book genre, it's very probable that I’ll remember it. I have a head full of information, some of which is useless, but it all came from my attentive listening and attention to detail.

6. Successful

I am going to build my life on success. I want to be noticed for my hard work and dedication by my superiors in order to build myself in my career. At the end of my life, I want to be proud of what I’ve accomplished and the way I’ve accomplished it.

7. Loyal

I’m not someone who often puts myself before others, which has, at times, been a disadvantage. I’d rather people know that I would drop anything I was doing to help a friend.

8. Genuine

I’m proud to be me, and I wouldn’t compromise my identity for anything else. I’m happy to say that people will always meet the real me, through and through.

9. Curious

I’m always wondering about the motive behind things. Whether I’m referring to the method used to solve a math problem, the reason the earth rotates around the sun or how batter becomes a cake, I always want to know the logistics behind everything.

10. Empathetic

I can easily relate to others and their situations, making it easier for me to come to the aid of those who ask. I know that my ability to relate to others is key to what allows me to be a good friend and good listener.

11. Funny

I’m pretty clumsy. I’ll trip over anything, even my own feet. I also have bad jokes. I know I have bad jokes, but most of the time, my jokes and my clumsiness are so bad that they make people laugh. I love being known as someone who can always make others laugh.

12. Helpful

I love helping people. I did numerous hours of service throughout high school, and I’m a recipient of the service scholarship at Spring Hill. Whether it means teaching children how to swim, helping the elderly, or editing a friend’s essay, I love helping those who need it. It's personally rewarding in ways that other things just aren't.

So, the next time you think to call me pretty, please remember that I am so much more than that, and so are you.