When I was younger, I got made fun of a lot. People made jokes about the way I looked, the way I acted, and how I was so eager for everyone, especially teachers, to like me. So from the time I was about 9 until the time I was 13, I hid who I was. I toned down my personality, I didn't talk as much, and I didn't really have a lot of true friends.

However, once I got into high school (which started in 7th grade at my school) I got tired of hiding who I was. At that point it took a lot of work, and I had changed a lot since I was a child and lost a lot of my confidence, but eventually I learned to be myself and live unapologetically again. I stopped being as quiet and reserved, and become much more vocal about my opinions.

Today, I'm incredibly happy with the person I'm becoming. I've learned from the girl I've used to be, and she's helped me become the girl I am today. Despite the fact that there are still constantly people trying to change me or make me feel bad or "less than" because of my beliefs, I refuse to ever apologize for or change who I am ever again.

I refuse to stop posting pictures of my coffee on my Instagram story because some people find it "annoying." I will not stop talking about being a feminist just because the people around me don't accept it. I will tell people about Jesus until the day I die because I love Him that much.

I won't stop wearing a flannel with every single outfit, or constantly posting on my Snapchat story about school and mu ukulele. I definitely won't stop correcting everyone's grammar. I am who I am. I like what I like. I'm not sorry if that offends you, because none of those things are hurting anyone. They may make me "basic," but they aren't causing anyone harm.

I worked hard to gain my confidence back after people made me feel inferior when I was young. I fought tooth and nail to become an unapologetic version of myself, and I will not let anyone make me feel the way I did back then ever again. I love who I am, most of the time. I know that I'm not perfect and I have my faults, but so does everyone else. I will not let those faults define me. I will never stop trying to improve the "bad" things about myself, but that doesn't mean I have to change the good stuff too.