When I was a senior in high school I was shopping for a prom dress. I had decided that I wanted to wear a strapless mermaid dress; I found one online and fell in LOVE. I found out that it was sold at Dillard's which was a few hours away from where I lived. I ended up driving there alone to try on (and hopefully buy) the dress. When I tried it on it fit like a glove, and I really did love that dress. Just then, a sales associate came in, and she made one comment that still haunts me, "Are you a swimmer? Because you have REALLY broad shoulders." I would like to say that I have nothing but respect for swimmers, they're truly incredible athletes. But at that moment all I could do was stare at my shoulders, and how much bigger they seemed...I ended up driving home empty handed with a tattered self esteem. It wasn't until this year (my sophomore year of college) that I got over that comment, but sometimes I still catch myself looking in the mirror to make sure my shoulders don't look too broad in my outfit.

For over a year after the sales associate's comment I could only think about my broad shoulders, I compared my "manly" shoulders to models, or pretty girls I saw on the street, I even started comparing my shoulders to girls on my soccer and basketball teams. I eventually moved past it, but it wasn't until I STOPPED comparing myself to other girls that I was able to accept myself and all my "faults." 

And that's the advice I have for anybody reading this, I'm sure somebody has made a comment about your body that's made you feel uncomfortable in your own skin. First of all, that's not OK. But you know what's also not ok? Dwelling on it. Everybody has different opinions, and everybody is on different life paths. Knowing that nobody is on the same path makes it SO much easier to stop comparing yourself to others, and to start loving yourself. On days that you're feeling extra down, just think about all of your friends and family; they all love you for you, not because of your body shape. 

I hope this helps any girls out there struggling with their self esteem or body image, every girl is beautiful in her own way.