Numbers.
They come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Some daily numbers you may run into are your weight, your salary, your GPA, and your age. These numbers can be scary, but they don't define who you are as a person. You are so much more than what your test score is or what amount of money you make on a yearly basis.
I have stressed about all of these. It's gotten to the point where I have even stressed about my shoe size and "why was I born with such big feet?" Does my shoe size really matter? Nope. Does it define who I am as a person? Not at all.
I have put myself down multiple times over my school grades and GPAs. In a competitive world of fighting for a spot on the Deans or Presidents list, it's stressful to push yourself to obtain that perfect number. Here's the thing; that number isn't what makes you, you. If you put in your all, why put yourself down? Know that you worked to the best of your ability.
Society has a strong grasp on what "numbers" we should all possess. For example, I once saw a post depicting the weight that you should be at the height you are at. The numbers were absolutely insane. Yes, some people can be those weights; but what about the ones who aren't? A number on a scale doesn't define who you are as a person. Just because your number isn't what you want it to be doesn't make you any less of a person or any less than how great you already are. I have spent many mornings on the scale wishing I could go down a few numbers; only to realize that being five pounds less won't change who I am on the inside.
As young millennials, many of us may not have a set yearly salary. However, I have seen older people compare and contrast their wealth to others. Having a higher salary doesn't make you any happier than someone with a lower salary. The happiest people can have the lowest salaries and the saddest people can have the highest. Numbers do not define who you are.
Being happy and satisfied with yourself comes from the inside. Weight, GPA's, salaries, age, or even sizes don't make up who you are as a person. They are simply numbers. What makes you "you" are your experiences and unique traits. Instead of beating yourself up over a specific number, think of a positive outlook that you can have instead. It is all mental.