I find myself standing in front of my mirror every morning, and wondering how I look. I stand and think is this really me? Is this how people see me? I come to school every day thinking people are judging, but I never know. We are told at some in our lives to be ourselves, but what if we aren’t good enough?

I’ve come to realize that as a freshman in high school I care more about my grades and my lifestyle. Everything else balances off of that. If my grades are doing well and I’m feeling accomplished, then I am feeling delightful. I will try my best to look my best. If they’re not and I’m getting stressed out I look a little less admirable. When I step off the bus I get even more carried away in the wind of stress, because I feel like I could’ve looked better. Then the comparison starts.

How does she look so good every day? How does she get those grades? How?

But then I realize what I am doing. What is comparing myself or putting myself down doing? Nothing. I am Shayla Anderson, born June 8, 2001. I have light brown, curly ramen noodle shape hair, blue gray eyes. I have two sisters. Two step brothers. I am from South Carolina, and moved to Leander two and half years ago.

I am me and there’s no one else like me. So why do I compare myself? Why does anyone compare themselves?

Everyone has something special. A flame within them that sparks when they’re around the right people. I realize that to truly feel beautiful is to look at all the aspects that make you different. To realize that everyone is unique their own way, and everyone makes mistakes. That it’s the things within that make you beautiful.