According to its web definition, confidence is the beliefinoneselfandone'spowersorabilities. This belief in ourselves is the key to success but yet so many people lack it, including myself. Why is it that we stand in the mirror and tell ourselves that we are too fat, or too pale, or we have too many flaws? Because society puts an image in our head that we have to be everything other than ourselves.

For someone who lacks confidence, they start to fade off and just "fit in" with the crowd. They feel like they are no longer good enough and give up believing in themselves. One starts to lack believing in their own qualities and abilities and everything they once believed in fades away.

It is sad that from an early age on, we learned to compare ourselves. From elementary school getting made fun of for not being able to kick the ball far in kickball, to middle school getting teased for our bad hair days, to high school not having a prom date, by the time one reaches the age of 18 all confidence is lost.

From my own experience, growing up as a girl in today's society I have felt all of these feelings. Sometimes I have the feeling of confidence but at times I have little reminders of all the things in my head that bring me down. I wish I had longer hair, that I was skinnier, that I was taller, and the list goes on and on. Others may have different lists, but the point is that many girls lack confidence. Comparing ourselves takes away so much happiness from us, like a thief of joy.

It is so important to embrace ourselves for what we are and love ourselves. You are you, and nothing is changing that. Yes, it is challenging to come to terms that we cannot compare ourselves, but you give the world something that no one else can and that is YOU.