It’s that time of year again. Back to school, back to the mall for clothes shopping. For me, trying on clothes can generate feelings of awkwardness and self-loathing. If it looks a little tight on the rack, forget about it. Too big on the rack? Too much for me.

Like most people, my size changes depending on the store I go to. A medium in one store is a large in another. Clothes shopping can be like Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It’s a challenge to find something just right. Especially right when school starts. There’s so much focus on wardrobe. Dress codes, new trends and of course, gym class. It’s enough to make you wish for summer vacation again!

I know I’m not the only teenager who can feel this way. You too might feel like you’re too short, too thin, too tall, too big if you can’t fit into that new outfit you picked out. Fear not. If the outfit doesn’t work out, you’re still a good person. Sure you might not feel comfortable with one specific outfit, but if you keep looking, you’ll likely find something that flatters you. There are plenty of options to choose from out there!

But if you’re someone who isn’t swayed by my saying, “You’re not too tall, thin, short, big” or “You’re more than just your appearance,” then maybe it’s time to focus on something other than what you look like. You have other talents that make you unique. You can do so much more than you think! Finding and focusing on what you’re good at can make you feel so much better than worrying about your clothes. You are more than a trendy outfit. You have talents and traits that an outfit can’t quite define. You are yourself. And that’s all that matters.