The concept of the thigh gap has been trending for quite some time now. Although many have spoken out against it, girls everywhere still strive for that distinct emptiness between their thighs. In case you have not heard of the nature of thigh gap, it is exactly how it sounds: a space between the inner thighs of women, when standing with their knees touching. It has become a beauty ideal in our society.

Just to be clear, if your natural genetic makeup allows you to look this way, then all power to you. I promise I am not bashing your body image. Every girl should feel beautiful in her own skin.

However, if you are striving for this “in vogue” style, I condemn that behavior. This is a huge issue in today’s society among girls of all ages. We are hurting ourselves as we strive to look a certain way. This goes both ways too—neither gluttony nor temperance are the lesser of two evils.

All the same, the thigh gap forces us to brainwash ourselves into believing we are supposed to look like that when reading magazines and watching commercials full of extensive editing and the use of Photoshop. It is not. We should be happy with what we have. Don’t get me wrong—I understand wanting to be healthy and lose a little weight. I personally don’t skip out on the gym because I believe in how I look and the words I am writing. I want to be fit and toned, but I don’t want to take drastic measures to do so. I do this for myself and no one else.

Another issue that is prominent and bothers me just as much is the buzz about this plus size nonsense. If we call an average or more-than-average weighted model plus size, are we saying she is not a real model? Are we saying to be called a “real” model you have to be a size two and nothing more? I am sick of reading an online article referring to a plus-size model speaking out about body image, and spectators praise her because she is bigger than the average model. That is ridiculous because she IS a model. What does it matter if she is “plus size”? That term needs to go.

So why is the idea of a thigh gap the best thing to ever happen to me? For starters, I am able to write this article and truly mean every word I am saying. I do not need to be stick thin. I have accepted that I will never be a size two. The thigh gap has not only helped my self-image physically, but emotionally as well. I instead focus on both positive and negative aspects of myself that are not solely physical. My advice? You should too.