You walk into a store, looking around for your size, but settle for the largest one you can find. You head to the dressing room, slightly apprehensive. You put on the dress, hoping you finally found the one, just to realize the back only zips up half way. You’re upset, but used to it. “You can try a department store, honey.”

It took me a long time to realize that my body was beautiful. Constantly being told to lose weight, be thin and to look like the rest. I was fed up with the beauty standards our society has pushed on us. I wouldn’t consider myself thin and I wouldn’t consider myself “thick.” The standards continue to change, but keep the same mindset, flat stomach, small waist and accentuated assets.

I hated Victoria’s Secret and their morphed sizes; I was a large, but it was not a flattering look, no bra size past a 38. I hated that I couldn’t fit in, couldn’t shop at the same stores as others, or look as good as them in it. I feared away from crop tops and bikinis, summers were a nightmare.

I slowly gained the confidence to be in my own skin. I worked out, not even with the intent of losing weight, just a change of lifestyle. I looked up to empowering women such as Ashley Graham, Amy Schumer, and Khloe Kardashian. These women aren’t all plus-sized, but are all body positive. There is nothing wrong with loving the body you have and feeling confident, even if people say you shouldn’t wear a certain style of clothing.

I have always believed in self-expression and that you make your own confidence. If you look and feel good, others will catch on and will be envious. You should never let someone else’s words have an impact on you, instead turn their negativity around and make it positive. I shouldn’t be wear a bikini to the beach? Watch me rock this bikini and feel better than you.

Times have changed, not everyone is going to be a size 2 and that’s OK. The fashion world is introducing plus-size models, and even different shaped Barbie dolls. No one should feel inadequate because they are considered to be plus size. So wear that crop top and high-wasted shorts, expand your comfort zone. Don’t push yourself to look like the girls on Instagram or the Victoria’s Secret models. There is nothing wrong with being thin and there is nothing wrong with being fat. The word fat has such a bad connotation, like calling someone ugly, which is completely false.

Self-love is so important and isn’t something that happens over night. Not everybody has a good day, it's OK not to always feel your best. But learning to accept yourself and your unique qualities is the best thing you can do for yourself. Not everyone is going to love you, so you need to love yourself. And from loving yourself, you learn to love others. Be you, be beautiful.