When I was 13 years old, I was very thin, and pretty tall for my age. Eighth grade prom was approaching, and I was so excited to wear my perfect little size 0 purple prom dress.

When the dress came in, it was too small. I could not bear the thought of being a size 2, so I cried for hours in my room, swearing I would not attend prom or even leave my house again. I genuinely thought I was fat. I wasn't, but even if I was, I had the absolutely twisted idea that "fat" equaled the end of my life.

When the strongest and one of the most beautiful girls I know turned 16, she was packing her bags to go get treated for bulimia. It’s not fair and it’s not right, but it’s a scary truth.

We are now in 2016. Things are constantly changing, yet we still consider a certain body type perfect, and eating/mental disorders are as prevalent as ever. I'm an 18-year-old college student, and in my life I have experienced too many people I know, including myself, struggle with body issues.

For, body insecurity may only go as far as saying, "I wish I looked like _____". Unfortunately, for 20 million women, it results in damaging, devastating, and sometimes fatal, eating disorders.

The media has an indefinite effect on the way we view ourselves. There are many beautiful women in the media, and many beautiful women in everyday life. I have friends who are a size 2, and friends who are a size 12. They are all beautiful, not only in their body, but in their minds and souls. Beauty runs so deep, and what's on the outside is just the beginning.

Think about it, when you meet someone, you either like or dislike them on their personality. Their looks shouldn’t shape how you feel about them. Realize, NO person who is worth knowing should be judging you on your looks. When you get to know someone, and I mean really get to know someone, you start to only see their heart and soul, rather than what they look like.

Think about how much it would break your heart to see your future daughter look in the mirror and truly believe she is not good enough because of her size. We must spread positivity and love to everyone. We must realize ourselves that we are more than just a number on a scale. Recognize the beautiful souls you are surrounded by in this beautiful life we live.

Today, I am 18 years old and I have not stepped on a scale in two years. I worked so hard to become a person I love, and if all women can do this, we will live in a happy, positive society. It's never easy, but it will always be worth it. You deserve self-love. There is no wrong way to have a body!