When Schuyler Bailar went to prom a few years ago, he wore a dress. It was 2014 and before Schuyler had come out as transgender. But now, in 2017, Schuyler attended prom once again, but this time wearing a tux. In a side-by-side photo on Instagram, Schuyler documented the difference a few years can make — but Schuyler isn't just talking about his physical appearance. He notes he's always been the same person; he's just much happier now.

Schuyler took to Instagram to show how much he's changed in the past three years so others could see that happiness is possible.

"Change is possible. Happiness is possible. Authenticity is possible," Schuyler wrote. "But all of these things take time and effort and perseverance and self love. Still, they are ever possible; so, never forget this, my friends. Never give up on yourselves."

Today, Schuyler competes on the Harvard men's swim team and documents his journey on Instagram. And while the side-by-side photos Schuyler shares often show him smiling throughout the years, he said between each photo there has been a lot of pain and progress he's had to work through. From overcoming an eating disorder to realizing he wanted to transition to figuring out what that would mean for his recruitment to Harvard's women's swim team (he's on the men's team now and is the first openly transgender swimmer in NCAA Division I), Schuyler said he's been through a lot. But all that work has resulted in Schuyler becoming his best self.

"Also, recognize that this picture is a total simplification of my journey," he wrote. "I did not wake up one day and just become a man, nor was I ever truly a woman. I have always been me — whether dressed in a gown or a tie. Between and before these pictures are hundreds of days of incredibly important discovery and pain and growth that I will never ignore."

This is such an important message. No matter his clothes or appearance, Schuyler points out he's always been the same person. It's just that now he's able to live fully as himself — and that's beautiful.

Images courtesy of Instagram/ @pinkmantaray.

Related: Harvard Student Makes History as the First Openly Transgender Swimmer in NCAA Division I