You know you think about it. You stare at it every day as it taunts you from the back of your closet.

The dress.

The one that has a story, a spontaneous thought that sprung into your mind or it was slyly placed there by an overbearing friend. It has, had, is a goal. The money slapped on the counter before you could change your mind is proof of the belief that you could wear it. The belief you loved yourself enough to step out to the public eye in such a number. A piece of fabric that got your heart racing.

How long has it been in the back of your closet? How long will it stay collecting dust?

Is there a man you wanted to wear it for? A lady you wanted so badly to impress? The special someone that also kept your heart racing? What will they think? Will they like it? Will they hate it?

While it is okay to wonder what they will think (hey it’s only natural), remember one thing: how do you feel about it? Does it make you feel beautiful? Does it make you want to yell to the stars? The potential sentiments of others should not linger on your shoulders as a devil and angel consult. When you wear the dress, wear it for you.

Love who you are! If you love who you are, you will accept who you are. Regardless if one kind of dress makes your butt look a little big, or maybe one is a little too tight in the chest area. Know your positive and negative sides and accept them. Satisfaction isn’t always necessary, but understanding them is. You can always improve yourself.

Loving yourself allows you to realize you are the only one of you. Nobody else can wear the dress like you can. You are unique in mindset, traits, qualities, and potentialities. When you accept who you are, you feel no need to be a forgery of someone else or compare yourself to others.

What’s more empowering than knowing who you are? Be that person. The one you stare at when they walk into the room. The one who doesn’t care what every person in the room must say about her dress. She doesn’t care if it’s too big or too small for someone else’s taste. She loves it.

Wear the dress. Own the dress. Love the dress.