Growing older also means growing into your own skin. Each year is an opportunity to discover more about yourself and learn to accept your unique traits.

Each and every one of us is different. We look different; we think differently; we act differently. But these distinctive traits are not negatives; instead, they make us into the beautiful people we are.

I am one of many who has never quite felt comfortable in my own skin — and not in a metaphorical way. The skin cells in my body are special.

When I was four, I was diagnosed with psoriasis. By the time I was five, I had memorized a brief explanation of my disease for any kid who looked scared to be near me on the playground or an adult who asked if I was covered in bug bites; I have a skin condition where my body tells my skin that it needs to grow more, even when it does not, and it causes the skin to layer up.

Because of this, my body is covered in white spots. They flake off and leave a semi-permanent stain of my presence anywhere I go. I am unable to keep the psoriasis that speckles my skin a secret.

When I was younger, I was ashamed of the way I looked. It was hard to accept that people may give me funny looks or ask me questions.

However, in the past few months, I have been able to view myself in a new light. As I fell into a place where I truly felt confident as I looked in the mirror, I realized that my struggle taught me more than I had ever imagined it could.

First, it is okay to not know exactly who you are every second of every day.

Throughout my journey with my skin, I have had ups and downs and felt hope and despair. This roller coaster of emotions extends to all aspects of life, and that is a good thing. Each low allows us to reach an even bigger high. Even if you are experiencing a moment of uncertainty, know you will reach steady ground again.

Next, never be afraid to reach out for help.

Confiding in someone is not a weakness. It is a strength. By speaking out about our feelings, we are able to process, understand, and accept whatever we may be experiencing: anger, frustration, hurt. This is the first step in the healing process.

Finally, when we embrace ourselves, we open up the possibility to embrace each other as well.

If we choose to hide within ourselves, we will never have the opportunity to learn and grow from experiences outside of our own. Connecting with friends, family, and even strangers creates a community that works to build each other up.

Nobody is ever grown up. We are all still changing and evolving, one day at a time.