How I Stay Positive In a Room Full of Beautiful Women

Phew! I'm back in my hotel room, I've kicked off my heels, and orientation is complete! I'm experiencing a whirlwind of emotions that are overcoming my nerves and emitting a sense of excitement I have not experienced before.

I'm sure I speak on behalf of my entire Miss International 2016 class when I say this week will prove to be an incredible experience that will be dear to our hearts forever.

Orientation is now over, which means the week has officially commenced. With one blink of an eye, it will be Sunday morning and we will each be waking with a new type of self-awareness that is derived from the relationships we will create and the bonds that we form.

Although this excitement is fresh and inspirational, it may be challenging to look around the room and maintain your self-confidence. We will each experience some form of insecurity or perhaps doubt in the back of our minds. Hopefully you can overcome this doubt with these helpful reminders!

1) Do Not Physically Compare. You may be short, you may be tall...whichever it is; you are perfect. Beauty is, and will always be, in the eye of the beholder. Remember that what you view or idolize as the 'perfect' look is NOT what your neighbor or the judge will view as the 'perfect' look. Beauty is not defined by a certain standard. We are each beautiful in our own way. So in lieu of saying things like 'wow she's so tall, or so thin' remind yourself of the physical attributes you are proud of having. List three simple things (whether it be your luscious hair, bright eyes, or kind smile) that you will immediately remember as soon as you start to compare yourself to someone else.

2) Count your blessings. Eddie, a member of our exceptional pageant staff mentioned creating a journal where you can write down three things per day that you are thankful for. This is a fantastic idea, and I'd like to feed off of it. Know your list. List five things you are grateful for relating to this pageant. Mine are:

1. Having the support of my mother's friends (my mother passed away two years ago so I appreciate their attentiveness to my goals)

2. I am thankful for my heath and confident in my body, so I am grateful for the time my trainer has dedicated to just that

3. My two phenomenal pageant coaches, who I cannot thank enough

4. Finding an evening gown that truly expresses who I am as a woman

5. Having a comfortable hotel room to call home for ten days

3) No One is Perfect. We've all heard it before, but have you really thought about this? She may look perfect, she may act perfect, but I promise she has her faults too. Just like you, and certainly just like me. We all need to embrace our flaws together because Sunday we will wake up and we will all still be imperfectly perfect.

4) Embrace & Support. A woman has the natural duty to be supportive to other women. We are a sisterhood in the ultimate celebration of power and strength. It is our job to encourage and celebrate other women's successes, and support other women through their challenges. Remember your #1 priority is to celebrate everyone and their platform this week.

5) Learn & Grow. We will not all win. 44 women out of our class will walk away without a crown. However, you will go home...head held high, because you are still your state's proud representative. Learn from this week, and make it truly worthwhile. Take advice, network, and learn from each experience so you can continue to grow in a positive direction.