To be frank, it deeply saddens me to see how few people have truly accepted themselves. As an advocate of positivity, natural-body positivity is a part of that. I believe it is extremely important (especially as a woman) to take the time to learn to accept the skin you’re in.

As women in today’s society, we constantly compare ourselves to other individuals, and in doing so we diminish ourselves. But why? I simply don’t understand how women refuse to see the beauty within themselves but constantly acknowledge the beauty of those around them. When did it become a rare thing to love yourself? When did it become a bad thing to accept the beauty you have? When did it become “conceited” to say you like the skin you are in? Why do we accept the idea that self-love should be suppressed?

I think learning to love yourself is arguably the most important thing you can do for yourself. In fact, in not doing it, you’re doing an injustice to your body. I truly believe that your body is your temple, so why should you reject the wonderful vessel of life that has been gifted to you and created exactly for you?

I like to think of everyone as little lights. Objectively, lights are more beautiful when they shine bright. Lights do not shine brightly to please those who appreciate their gorgeous glow; they simply just glow. Our beauty can be represented as the lights, and if we just shine to shine instead of worrying about what the light next to us is doing, or what the people watching us glow think, we simply will be beautiful — not because anyone said we were but because we radiate it.

I think it’s important to acknowledge that not only should we accept the skin we’re in, but we should embrace who we are on the inside as well. I think that our beauty does partially come from within, and if you have good things inside, it will create beauty on the outside. No matter who you are, you are beautiful and you deserve to know it. So, if no one else will, remind yourself of it each and every day.