Look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you like the person staring back at you? If you said no, then that's OK and you're definitely not alone. I get it, I've been there and I still struggle with body image every single day. It's hard living up to the ridiculous beauty standards society has placed on us. You have to be tall, but not too tall; tan, but not too dark; have curves, but no extra body weight anywhere, otherwise known as a "beach body."

OK, hold up, what even is a beach body? Do you have a body? Are you at the beach? That's a beach body to me, whatever else media tells you is nonsense.

You're expected to be hairless (I'm sorry, last time I checked, I wasn't a naked mole rat), have perfect hair, teeth and skin all while making sure to be successful in life (meaning a significant other, even if you like being single, and a job). But not a job in any intimidating field, like science, for example. The models you see in magazines aren't real. They are photoshopped beyond belief and don't accurately portray average women. I know it's easy to compare yourself to them, but you can't. You aren't photoshopped and you don't have to be in order to look and feel beautiful. Your confidence depends on yourself, give yourself that extra boost to make yourself feel great.

All my life, I remember looking in the mirror and seeing a short, chubby, ugly girl. I never felt like I could be as beautiful as the other girls who were 10 times more attractive than me. I was constantly bullied and part of me felt like it was because I was "too ugly." I used to wish that I could just have a different face, longer hair or trendier clothes just so I could be accepted. It took me years and years to finally learn that it is good to be confident and love yourself. Sure, I still struggle with self-confidence and insecurity on a daily basis, but at least now I know that I'm beautiful.

That's right, even on days where I feel fatter than a blue whale, I tell myself I'm beautiful. Even when I have a zit the size of Mount Everest on my face, I'm beautiful. When my crazy curls get the best of me and my hair turns into frizz city, I am still beautiful. I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of my nose (which sounds like a weird thing to be insecure about, I know, but everyone has weird insecurities) and I don't know if I'll ever be 100 percent in love with it, but I know that it is a part of me, it makes me who I am, it adds to my charm and it makes me beautiful. Let's say it one more time for the people in the back, you are beautiful. It is hard to accept, but once your start to believe it, your world will change.

Now I know what you're thinking, "How can you think you're beautiful when you have too many insecurities to count?" Good question. Here's my secret, I tell myself to be confident every day whether I believe it or not. The point is to trick yourself into believing it until one day you do. Look at your reflection every single day and tell yourself that you are beautiful, you are flawless, you can conquer the world. Tell yourself that no matter who comments on your looks (first of all, how dare they) and no matter what happens, you are above it all. Because here is the bottom line, you are your own worst enemy. You are the one that drags yourself down the furthest, pushes your limits and criticizes yourself the most. You are capable of breaking yourself apart, judging yourself beyond belief and making you hate yourself. However, you are also capable of helping yourself back up, picking up the pieces and putting yourself back together. You are capable of bringing a smile to your face, telling yourself that you are flawless and strutting like you are Beyoncé. You know why? Because even though you are your own worst enemy, you are your own best friend. In the end, nobody else's words are going to matter, you will always be there for yourself through everything. Be proud of that.

So now I challenge you. I challenge you to wake up every day and give yourself a compliment. I challenge you to wear that super cute swimsuit that you felt 'too fat to wear' and rock it at the beach. I challenge you to hold your head up high when you walk. I challenge you to take that selfie, share it and love it. I challenge you to smile more, laugh more and enjoy life. I challenge you to accept that compliment. Smile, say thank you and move on knowing you deserved that compliment. I challenge you to take care of yourself, pamper yourself and spoil yourself. Take yourself out to get that fro-yo, go to the nail salon, buy yourself that gorgeous dress. If you want to work out, do it for yourself, not for the approval of others. If you do it for others, you'll never be completely happy. I challenge you to stop tearing yourself apart. Don't tell yourself that you are ugly, tell yourself that you are beautiful, strong and confident. And here is the hardest part, I challenge you to believe it. Of course, you don't have to listen to me, but I strongly encourage you to. If you don't want to take my word for it, ask your family, ask your friends and they will tell you how beautiful, smart, talented, loved and wanted you are.

It took me so long to get to where I am today with my body positivity and I still have so much more to learn and much more growing to do. Just a few weeks ago, I went out in public (gasp) with no makeup on. Even though that seems like nothing to some, for me, it was so scary. I thought everyone would judge me for my uneven skin tone, my crater like pores, my tired looking eyes. But you know what? Not a single person looked at me, nobody cared except for me. That was a huge step for me when it comes to conquering my insecurities and I'm not ready to back down now. I've started to vigorously try to get in shape and gain muscle. Not for others, but for myself. I want to be strong, I want to take down a bear if I have to. I don't care if a boy looks at me and thinks I'm athletic, I want to wake up in the morning and know that I am strong, for myself. Even though these things seem like nothing to others, for me, this shows major improvement. It's all about setting realistic goals, taking it slow, being patient and encouraging yourself. It's a long process for some and a quick easy change for others, but no matter how long it takes, remember that you will get there. That's it. All it takes is some patience, motivation and self-love. It's easy.

Now, go out there and strut your stuff. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you love yourself too much because there is no such thing. Don't bring down another girl because you're not confident. Instead, build each other up, us women have to stick together. You won't gain security by ripping others down. So stay kind, stay positive and love on.