We are all different. We all have our little quirks and mannerisms that no one else can claim. Everything from the way we laugh to how we dress, even the way we express ourselves, all reflect who we are as people.

When put into words like that, our human nature really is a beautiful thing. But sadly, we all try to find ways to obscure who we truly are. Now you may be thinking, “I don’t do that, I’m 100% me, 100% of the time.” But, I want you to really think on this for a bit. Has there ever been a time when you wished you could change something about yourself or were insecure in your own skin?

The answer to the question is yes. I mean, nobody has the ability or willpower to be completely secure with themselves every minute of every day.

This fact is incredibly true for me as well. There have been countless situations in which truly being myself was the most uncomfortable thing in the world. I grew up feeling completely insecure with who I was and how I looked. To make matters worse, I genuinely thought that I was surrounded by people who knew exactly who they were and where they were going.

It wasn’t until I got to college when I realized that my whole outlook on life as an adolescent was completely false. I mean, at such a young age, it would be impossible for anyone to know exactly who they were and be completely secure in that fact. Even when we inevitably grew up and discovered who we are supposed to be, our insecurities never really went away.

Even now, at 20 years old, I still struggle with a handful of insecurities; and I can’t think of a single one of my peers who doesn’t do the same on one level or another. We all have that one little thing that we loathe about ourselves, and that it completely normal. However, when you step outside of the box and really assess those small things–those little quirks and mannerisms I mentioned earlier–are the things that make you incredible, beautiful, and unique.

In short, those small things are what make you, you. As hated as they may be, without those characteristics, you simply wouldn’t be the person you are today, and you certainly wouldn’t possess the qualities that you have grown to love about yourself.

When you think about it that way, doesn’t it makes sense that those little things that we hate about ourselves are actually something to celebrate? I’m not saying that it will be easy, or that an overwhelming sense of self-love will happen overnight. But, I do believe that making an effort to embrace your flaws, rather than reject them, will positively impact how you feel about yourself.

No, your insecurities will probably never fully go away and there will be random occasions in which you don’t feel completely secure in who you are. Likewise, it is always okay to work to overcome your insecurities if that will improve your quality of life. But, in those times of self-doubt and insecurity, it is important to remember that your flaws are what make you who you are.