When I was younger, I was fascinated with the way Pocahontas’ hair remained flawless in every scene, even when diving over a waterfall or sailing around the river bend. Those long dark locks seemed alien next to my short, blonde, continuously knotted hair. Not only that, the Disney princess’ tan skin, tall stature, thin waist, and wide hips were what I began to view as the ideal look. And as I got older, media continued to support that idea.

Movies, television shows, magazines, and social media continue to perpetuate specific ideas of beauty, teaching young men and women what they are and are not supposed to look like. According to data collected by Common Sense Media, 80% of teen girls compare themselves to celebrities. Of that group, over half feel dissatisfied by how they look as a result.

In a society corrupted with callous expectations, why do we subject ourselves to the mindset that our bodies are anything less than perfect? That the skin holding us together must fulfill some unreachable expectation set for us by the media?

If we continue to focus on our flaws, we are allowing our appearance to be a top priority in our lives. And why? We weren't put on this earth just to spend our days being envious of other people's bodies or to continuously shame our own. Instead, we need to learn and accept ourselves for the way we are and not focus on how we think other people perceive us.

Throughout my 20 years on this planet, I don’t think I’ve ever looked at another person and thought “wow, that person has a wide rib cage” or “that girl’s arms are too long.” People notice your character, not your composition. And if, for some reason, an individual is so narrow-minded that they find it necessary to comment on your appearance, saying it is not up to their or society's standards, remember that your existence is not for the purpose of pleasing other people. Don't let society tell you what constitutes beauty; define yourself as beautiful.