Getting on the #thisis18 and #nationaldayofthegirl and #nationalcomingoutday bandwagons. I don't have any photos of myself at 18. I'm 16 in this photo, and the only reason it exists is that it is my high school yearbook photo. I was so convinced that I was hideous, worthless, broken beyond repair that I avoided having my photograph taken, I avoided mirrors, I couldn't bear to look at myself. For decades. My message to my younger self is don't listen to the people who tell you you are less than. Don't listen to the people who tease, who belittle, who weaponize your name into a sexual attack. It's okay to be genderfluid. It's okay to be touch averse and no one has the right to humiliate you over it. It's okay to be gray ace, and no, you DON'T have to like what someone does to you just because they expect you to. Don't pay any attention to that gaslighting narcissistic asshole in your life. He never has your best interests in mind, and he never will. He's bad karma, Batman. Celebrate your weird. Embrace your different. It's okay that you don't fit in with nasty people - you'll learn you don't want to, and they don't deserve you. You'll find your people. And you will all be beautiful together. #iamwhoiam #iamaworkinprogres https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo21ayPHzMD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1v6y6txlrezvw