If I could give advice to my past self it’d be to stop caring what others think about you. No one knows what you’ve gone through but you, not even your parents. So why would anyone else have the right to judge you but yourself? What do these people know about you? Getting wrapped up in others’ image of you hinders yourself from growing. The only person’s image you should worry about is yours. Do you have a bad self-image? Why? If you’re unhappy with yourself, work on whatever it is. Fall in love with yourself. Fall in love with your imperfections. No ones perfect. Learn to be happy with how far you’ve come, not how far you are from your imaginary goal. People might say things to make you question your image. Laugh at it. Anyone that tries to bring you down is already below you. If there’s something I’ve learned in 17 years its that life is a mental battle. You’re not what happens to you but how you react to it. If you want to feel better about yourself then start telling yourself how good you look, how much you like your outfit, anything that you like about yourself and everything you don’t. You should be your number #1 fan, supporter, and critique. Live your life by your rules. You’re the main character of your own story. Don’t waste time worrying about someone else’s.

• Cameron Jackson – SYC Peer Specialist Intern