An influencer is encouraging women to have the courage to be disliked.

Danae Mercer Ricci, 36, from the US, has been posting self-love content on Instagram for a number of years now. Through her relatable and candid content, the influencer and journalist has racked up a huge 2.3million followers.

She spends her time promoting body positive advice, and people love her for it. But she recently confessed that some people can still be cruel about the way she looks.

The mum shared some candid snaps of herself looking in the mirror while flaunting the parts of herself some people would often deem to be "imperfect". From her curves to her skin texture – everything was on display.

She told people learning to like yourself is the "real prize" when it comes to life, so you shouldn't worry about what other people think. As well as this, she said people will always talk about you – no matter what you do.

According to Danae, it's also important not to let others change the way you see yourself. Beauty lies within, and she wants people to see this.

Writing on Instagram, Danae said: "I want you to have the courage to be disliked. And to know that you, exactly as you are, exactly as who you TRULY are, you are wonderful.

"I’ve been getting a lot of DMs about mean-girl cliques, And subtle, stingy bullying. Because all that nonsense continues well after high school. And so many of us lil people pleasers struggle with how to handle it.

"So let me tell you a story. I went on a press trip once with a bully. She was in charge, important to my company, a big advertiser. I wasn’t technically invited – a colleague was.

"But I got placed on the trip instead. From the minute I arrived, this woman made it very, very clear she didn’t like me. Think Devil Wears Prada with a bit of Mean Girls thrown in. That was the vibe.

"One morning, the woman commented how awful, unprofessional, wavy hair was. I should straighten mine, she suggested. 'It would look just so much better for a face like yours,’ she said. So I did. I straightened it.

"I tried to fit in to her ideal of me. And somehow, that only made things worse. Because in that moment, in that instant, I lost myself. I got confused.

"HER STANDARDS became my benchmark, While my goals, my TRUTH, were pushed aside. Now, 37-years-old, I wouldn’t make that same mistake."

She continued: "I’d rock my hair in whatever way suited. I’d remind myself instead that ANY BULLY, any MEAN GIRL clique, operates from their own place of insecurity. And that anyone trying to tear us down is already below us.

"And that’s what I want to say to you: You deserve to show up EXACTLY AS YOU REALLY ARE. Not everyone will like it. Not everyone will like you. And that’s ok, because that’s their opinion. Not YOUR TRUTH.

"Have the courage to be disliked today. Other people liking you is a bonus. You liking yourself is the real prize."

Since she shared the post, several people have liked it. Her followers were quick to comment too – and people thanked her for opening up about body image in such an honest way, sharing some of their own stories too.

One person said: "So sad that we have done this to ourselves." Another wrote: "Such a good post @danaemercer. Has taken me decades to get to this point. I wish younger 'me' had but had the courage and confidence to love and accept 'herself'."

A third replied: "Your posts are a continuous reminder and inspiration to what we need to continue working on in our world. For ourselves and for our futures. Thank you for always being so candid and bold. It doesn’t go unnoticed."

Meanwhile, a fourth commented: "The time i came across your post its literally boost my confidence like hell. I also have cellulite, bulges and many other flaws in my body that order to left me depressed but after listening your thoughts I realised that I'm a normal person like anyone."