Dear woman,

Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever struggles you're facing, I want you to know that you are beautiful.

And right now, especially those who are currently struggling with the mental tug of war that surrounds their weight.

Here's to the girl who's just twelve or thirteen, doubting her beauty and worth because she doesn't fit society's harsh standards. The girl who is far too young to worry about her image, but sadly can't ignore the overwhelming desire to become perfect - and fast.

Here's to the girl who's sixteen or seventeen, tiptoeing quietly through the hallways of her school, hoping to sink into the floor just to avoid the judgmental stares of her peers. The girl who is convinced that every time someone laughs behind her, it must be about her.

Here's to the girl who just started college, or graduated high school, and is going through one of the most stressful stages of her life. The girl who feels invisible and terrified of what the future might hold.

And last but not least, here's to any girl or woman, no matter how young or old, who has become trapped in the ever deepening hole of weight loss.

Here's to you, sweet beautiful woman, who needs a little extra help finding your inner worth.

As women, we are taught from the day we're born that in order to be loved, successful, and happy we need to be thin. Here's the thing though, no one seems to imprint into our heads that our health comes first. Not to mention that the goal appearance we strive for is significantly difficult to achieve, considering the average woman is definitely not 5'10" with a Photoshop-exaggerated hourglass figure, and zero cellulite or stretch marks.

Thankfully, I feel that some of the media is drifting from this horrendous ideal, but people's mindsets are no less toxic.

Women aren't told that it's okay if they aren't naturally "model" thin.

I've seen countless stories of women who, in the depths of their eating disorders, were often told that they were "inspirational" and "looked great", simply because they were skinnier than they had been in the past. It starts to feel as though that's the only thing that matters in anyone's eyes. Thinness. Not health or happiness.

We are taught that being skinny is the magical "solve all" to every problem we face. But in reality, it won't fix a thing. It isn't actually the cure all it's claimed to be. In fact, many women who actually lose weight get criticized for doing so and losing too much weight. Where does the cycle end?

I want you to know (and hear me out on this cliche), that there is so much more to you than your weight.

Whether you're overweight, at a healthy weight, or underweight, your worth doesn't change.

If you're overweight and want to lose weight for your health, that's completely okay, as long as it's for the right reasons. Do this only to become happy - not to change other's opinions of you.

Don't let that number seep into your brain, telling you that you aren't good enough.

It's not true.

Your worth remains the same, no matter what you weigh.

Sometimes, just losing a few pounds can create the downward spiral. Especially if you were already self conscious to begin with. You realize, hey, maybe I'll like that dress a little bit better now. Maybe my friends will include me a little more now, 'cause I must look better, so I'm more appealing in general, right?

The problem here is that often times, these things don't happen. You will surely still hate that dress, and most likely you'll still feel left out.

The topic of losing weight can be so taboo in the sense that sometimes it's a very good thing, but no one wants to discuss the negative side of it.

So please, don't let that number fool you. Don't let it pull you back to the scale again and again, just to be disappointed.

All of this is easier said than done, I know.

The struggle is exhausting.

It can be impossible to fight the inner voice that's telling you you're just taking up space. The one that screams at you, reminding you that you're wasting everyone's time.

All because you're too disgusting, too fat -- too boring, too quiet, too nerdy, too shy, too loud -- for anyone to care about. For anyone to stick around for. For anyone to fall in love with. For anyone to notice.

Sometimes, it's not even just about others. It's just so hard to look in a mirror and say, "I love this person staring back at me."

As many of us know, feeling that our weight is out of control can lead to so many other negative emotions.

And I want to clarify that I am not talking only to women with eating disorders.

No, I am talking to all women who suffer daily with negative self-image and low self esteem.

With every comment about your clothes or food choices comes a detrimental moment: will I give in to those negative words, or will I try to remember my true worth and not act upon it?

Every time you look at your reflection, you must decide: will I choose to love myself today, or will I choose to give in to the negative pool of emotions that threatens to consume me?

It's hard. Unbelievably so. But you can do it.

You are beautiful, inside and out, no matter your shape.

Strive for health.

Health is more beautiful than any barbie doll diet could ever make you out to be. The truth is, healthy comes in all shapes and sizes - and that's okay.

Losing a couple of pounds because you feel it'll make you more worthy of other people's time is not healthy.

Forcing yourself to lose weight in order to fit into an outfit for a special event is not healthy.

Dieting is not healthy. I don't care what kind of "diet" it is, if it's not applicable to your everyday life 24/7, it's probably not good for you. And, let's face it, even if it is applicable all the time, if it's considered a change in eating habits specifically to lose weight, it's certainly not good for you.

Society has trained women to behave in disordered ways for too long.

So again, here's to the blossoming young women and teens who are struggling to find themselves.

To the women who feel alone and worthless, wherever you are:

You are beautiful. You are strong. You can achieve anything you put your mind and heart to.

Weight has nothing to do with your worth. And screw anyone who tells you differently.

I love you,

A fellow woman who feels your struggle