You see it everywhere nowadays. You see it on social media, on television, and even in magazines. The pressure to be perfect is relevant, even if you pretend that it's not. Growing up, we are exposed to media. Now, media can be a very good source to receive information. However, it also exposes us to supermodels, reality shows, and so much more.

My body issues started back in middle school. I realized that I was gaining a little bit of weight in places I wasn't use to (thanks puberty.) I now understand why, but back then I didn't get why I wasn't 'growing' like the girls I saw on television or in my teen magazines.

Even as someone who is a sophomore in college and will be 20 in a month, I still struggle with the way I view myself. It shouldn't be that way! I shouldn't look in the mirror and be disgusted by the way I look. I shouldn't be afraid to go clothes shopping and to wear a dress in public, but I am. This is all because some girl called me fat on social media.

I know many girls who feel the same way I do. It may be because someone has bullied them about their weight or the way they look. It does't have to be because they're a little big; it can because they've had comments on how they're too skinny or too pale. We don't like getting bullied so we try to fit in. We try to be what society wants us to be!

I've come to learn that everybody is beautiful in their own way. You might be thinking that this is real "cliche" of me, but it's how I honestly feel. Lately, instead of finding something that I don't like about someone's appearance, I try to find something beautiful about them. I encourage you to try it as well! Not only will it help in the way you act towards others, but it will help the way you see yourself as well.

So here's what I want you to do. I want you to go to a mirror and look at yourself. I want you to tell yourself five things that make you beautiful. For example: I love my eye color. I like the way my hair dries after I take a shower. I think my height is perfect for me. My shoe size is a cute size. I have small hands but I can save money on gloves by shopping in the kid section.

See? It can literally be anything! So next time you see a picture on Instagram of some celebrity, say those five things silently to yourself. Because you are beautiful in every sense of the word. Don't EVER let some girl who called you fat tell you different. Love yourself!