I have something to confess. I take selfies. Lots of them. But so what? I love taking them, and I love seeing them. With so many young girls and boys struggling with their body image, we need a little more body positivity on the internet. I have always encouraged friends and family to take more selfies, and these are just a few of the reasons why.

1. Creativity

Everyone needs a way to express themselves, and selfies are an easy way to do just that. There're a million ways to show off your own personal selfie style with just a single picture. Makeup, or natural? Eyes open or closed? Smiling or not? The options are unlimited!

2. Love Yourself

Sometimes it feels good to take a look at a picture of yourself and think, "I look beautiful right now." I find that the more selfies I take, the more I have thoughts like that, and that is never a bad thing. Self-love is a necessary part of being alive and the more of it that you give yourself the happier you will be.

3. The Little Things

One of the best things about selfies is that they highlight whatever parts about yourself you want them too. For example, if you are uncomfortable with the shape of your nose, holding your phone/camera at a different angle can highlight your eyes or jawline instead. Show the world the parts about you that you do like, and those little pieces of yourself that worry you suddenly don't seem so bad.

4. Real Life

Despite the filters and strategic camera angles, selfies are pictures of real life. They are a snapshot in time of what you look like right then and there. Seeing more images like these on the internet serve to remind you that real life does not look like Kim Kardashian; real life looks like your classmates, neighbors, and family members. Real life is perfectly imperfect, just like you.

5. Body Positivity is Hard to Come By.

If you have never posted a selfie online, you would be surprised just how good it may make you feel. By posting this picture online you are telling the world, "I am beautiful, no matter what you say." And it is a truly liberating feeling. The world is a harsh place, so sometimes you just need to look at a selfie and say, "I look amazing, and no one can tell me otherwise." Being part of the selfie-taking group means that you are interested in promoting body positivity for not just yourself, but everyone else.

Whether you post one selfie or dozens in a single sitting, selfies are a fun way to show the world that despite your flaws, you are beautiful and no one an ever that that confidence from you. Call me self-centered, call me vain, but I love taking selfies and I don't ever plan on stopping.