After reading a recent Rolling Stone article on Donald Trump’s criticism of women, I got a sick feeling in my stomach. In a conversation with Howard Stern, Trump criticized when girls were celebrated for their brains rather than their beauty. “I wasn’t interested,” Trump told Stern. Trump also used derogatory ways to describe the girls, like “Miss Piggy” when one had gained weight. Donald Trump was exclusively concerned with attractiveness - and not just any attractiveness, either. For decades, it seems as though Donald Trump has viewed women only as valuable if they resemble a Barbie doll - even though that’s a silly and unrealistic expectation.

I’d like to take a moment to reach out to women everywhere. No matter how you may feel sometimes, you are worth way more than what you look like. Besides, there are so many different types of beautiful. In my middle and high school years, I hated how I looked because I didn’t look like a Barbie. I didn’t have blonde hair, my breasts were below-average, and I wore glasses. Because I didn’t look like magazines, I decided I would never be beautiful. It bothered me and brought my self-esteem down for years.

In my college years, I gained a confidence unmatched by anything I had ever experienced. When I felt myself criticizing how I looked, I silenced those negative thoughts and concentrated on the positive comments others had made about my appearance. I don’t have blonde hair, sure, but my hairdresser said I have a great head of hair. Although there were times I loathed my smile, I reminded myself that I’ve never needed braces. People had called me pretty throughout my life, so why shouldn’t I believe them? Besides, there was only thing that mattered - something that could take power away from anyone who had ever insulted, criticized, or made me feel insecure about my appearance. And that was liking how I looked. If I could look in the mirror and declare I liked what I looked like, any opposing argument became irrelevant.

Besides, beauty isn’t what is on the surface. Beauty is deep, complex and reaches farther than Donald Trump’s shallow mind could ever imagine. Tune out men who speak like Donald Trump; ignore men who assume a woman’s worth can only be valued by her cup size. There is beauty in a woman’s creativity, in her style, in her work ethic, in her friendships, in her interests, in her dreams. Listen to a woman talk about what she loves and then you’ll understand what beauty is. Beauty is setting down the magazine, ignoring the comparisons, and recognizing that you’re beautiful beyond what you look like.

There’s power in liking who you are. Don’t worry about what others think - especially about what you look like. I understand how difficult that can be, but it’s imperative to try. When you look in the mirror, do your best to like what you see. You’re the product of a million unlikely chances - you’re composed of elements millions of years old, predating our solar system. You have the capacity to think, to challenge yourself, to improve yourself, to set goals for yourself to achieve. You’re beautiful. When Donald Trump and others like him try to say otherwise, accept that they are speaking from a point of insecurity in themselves. They’re likely envious that you shine like you do. Don’t listen to them.

Women are worth much more than what they look like. You’re more than that. If you ever find yourself feeling insecure, regardless of who you are, come talk to me. We’ll come up with a hundred reasons you should adore yourself. As cliche as it is, celebrate that you’re you.