When I was young... I DIDN'T CARE. I didn't have to contour my face, I didn't care what brand I wore, and the length of my hair or the thickness of my eyelashes were the least of my worries. I wore what I want and I was happier.

Now, almost 20 years old, I have a hard time being myself or accepting myself for who I am and I know I'm not alone.

Back then we didn't have Instagram, society didn't have to worry about the constant validation getting a certain amount of likes or followers. The world was a friendlier place. I didn't worry about the ads that appeared on Snapchat about "body goals" or "lose it fast with quinoa " I ate pizza almost every day like it was my job. Life was simple.

Why do we do this to ourselves life can be simple. Do you know how much more work we are putting on our plate just to fit in? Society is constantly trying to be something we are not. We all want to look like Victoria Secret Models, or the current body goal queens, But what happens if we reach that goal? We never will be satisfied.

Society needs to realize that there is a limit to perfection! The key to standing out is not the Gucci belt you buy, the filter you use on Instagram, or the people you hang out with... Its who you are. No human is naturally the same. It's good to set goals for yourself, not others. I choose to lose weight or live a healthy lifestyle because it genuinely makes me feel better and more confident about myself, But no human is perfect.

I must realize my limit to perfection and enjoy the many gifts I have within. Being a good communicator, being a loyal and loving friend, and being myself. these traits can exist in anybody no matter what size, shape or color. Believe it or not, but being yourself is the hardest thing to do in today's society. It takes a strong person to be an authentic original. The only way to stand out is to be yourself rather than blend in with trends.

Make a choice if it makes YOU happy, wear what you want, advocate what YOU believe in, and keep loving yourself! I thought I had to blend in because no one quite looked like me and it wasn't normal because I couldn't relate to anyone I saw on my social media.

So, stop editing your pictures and know that its OK to be different, it's more than OK to be you!