All of my life I've been overweight. When I say all of my life, I mean it. I was born a month early and weighed 9 lbs. I've always been big. When you are different than most kids, you learn to adapt rather quickly. I realized that I couldn't really wear what others did, because it didn't look right. I learned that I couldn't fit into small spaces, nor could I run the fastest. When I was younger I don't remember it being difficult to accept myself because it was the only way of life I knew.
That all changed when I got to Jr. High. Suddenly I found myself desiring to fit in and look like my friends. I wanted to be cool and wear cute clothes and shop at the same stores as them. But the reality was that I couldn't. When I realized this, I began to eat more then before. Most people realize things and want to change them but I did the exact opposite. The situation became what I felt like defined me.
Over time, I realized those things didn't really matter. In high school I realized that I didn't have to dress like everyone in order to look cute. I could have my own style and be different and THAT WAS OK. It was more then okay, it was great! I started to distinguish myself from the crowd and I felt more like an individual than ever before.
In college, I've realized what embracing that looks like. We live in a culture where the opinions of others matter more then our own, but the truth is you're the one who wakes up to it every morning. Sure I haven't had a boyfriend yet but that doesn't define me. The key is to accept that everything will come in its due time. Whether it be a new job, the love of your life, or that thing you've wanted longer than you can remember, life has a funny way of working itself out.
