The call for the acceptance of all body types is drilled into us, high schoolers especially. We are assumed to be the weakest in the department of self-love, and we hear messages to promote positive thoughts all the time; love yourself if you’re short, love yourself if you’re tall, if you’re wide, narrow, muscular, weak. However, there are exceptions to this welcoming of diversity that are hidden from most.

I am tall, and I am skinny. I got my height from my mom and my shape from my grandma; I’ve always been tall for my age and gender, and I’ve always been skinny. No matter how much I eat, no matter how much I try to bulk up, I’m not going to gain much weight. While I’m fully aware that this is nothing to complain about, the remarks I hear and various other comments regarding my body type are outright rude.

“Real women have curves.” Congratulations, your message of acceptance is exclusive only to certain people! Does my lack of curves make me “fake?” If I were to gain a few pounds, would I be more authentic of a person? Curves don’t define your womanhood, and especially not your personhood.

“You don’t need a thigh gap to be beautiful.” While this statement is completely true, we as a society never acknowledge that it’s possible to have a thigh gap and be a healthy individual. Let me put it this way: it’s completely acceptable to talk about loving your curves or your muscular legs, but if I were to Instagram a picture mentioning my thigh gap–which, yes, comes with my frame naturally–I’m certain I would get comments along the lines of “Olivia, you don’t have to be skinny to love yourself.” No, I don’t have to be skinny to love myself, but I am skinny. Does that mean I can’t love myself or love the attributes that come along with my weight?

“Eat a sandwich.” It quite frankly disgusts me when I get this from people. They are assuming things about my eating habits according to my appearance. I have never had an eating disorder, and the fact that I get this comment–and get it often–horrifies me. If each and every body type is something to be proud of–a concept that many people are in favor of–why am I an exception?

Assuming anything about any body type is unacceptable. I am not a slave to an unreasonable dieting and workout routine; it’s possible to be skinny and have no unhealthy habits whatsoever, just as it’s possible to be skinny and have an unhealthy, high-calorie diet alongside minimal exercise. Similarly, it’s possible to work out every day, eat healthy and still maintain a larger frame. There’s nothing wrong with any of these, just as no body type is “better” than another.

The lessons taught by organizations such as REbeL are valuable and need to be heard. The problem exists when those messages are twisted to only support certain body types. All people deserve acceptance, no matter what stereotypes are typically associated with their figure.