As someone who has previously struggled and sometimes still struggles with body positivity, I understand how hard it is may be to not be critical of yourself, but I truly believe that there is something special and to be celebrated about everyone. There is something beautiful about each one of you even if you may not see it. You might have amazing eyes, fun freckles, shiny hair, a dazzling smile, but even more important is the kind of person you are on the inside. What matters so much more than physical appearance is who you are on the inside. Being kind, confident, courageous, and selfless all matter more than outward appearance, because they make you shine from within. You don't need the kind of negativity that personal body-shaming brings into your life, and I'm sure you'd agree. While you might not be able to control your acne or if your hair is super frizzy, you can control how you treat others and yourself.

If you can't do it for you, do it for someone else. I'm assuming that you probably don't want other people to feel badly about themselves in the way you might or at least I'm hoping you don't. Nothing was worse for me than when someone thinner or who had clearer skin would speak so negatively about herself. I thought she was beautiful. There's something beautiful about everyone I think. So do it for her! Help to make a difference in someone's life. We often would comment that it is pretty rude to openly criticize another person's appearance in public, but why isn't the same true for how we speak about ourselves?

I've come a long way in how I think about myself, and I know from experience that it can be easy to scrutinize yourself. But nothing really good comes from it. If you want to stop thinking that way, it has to be a decision you make. I was recently watching an episode of Say Yes to the Dress, one of my favorite shows, and this beautiful, quite thin woman who had lost a lot of weight was so heartbroken about not looking good enough in anything (truthfully, she looked great in every single dress) that she left without a dress. It's not a change in shape, and I don't deny that exercising a little more and eating healthier may do a great deal of good. However, it doesn't do much good if you aren't feeling good about yourself. Get good with yourself. It's a process, but you know what? It does get better. I am proof of that. Start to do things that make you feel good about yourself. Highlight those things that you like about yourself, and if you have to, avoid some of those things that get you down for awhile. Changing how you think about yourself really is a way to change the world. You're adding a little more sunshine, some hope, and some positivity. The world really does need it. When you start to feel better about yourself, your world is opened up to so many new, exciting things.

So you, reading this, you're so beautiful just the way you are. I mean it.