We hear and read it all over social media; the grotesque comments, made by the people behind the screens, attacking someone because they do not mirror the “one size fits all” physique. The suicide stories behind body shaming are mostly revolved around those who are, like Tyra Banks says, fiercely real in size.
But what about the other side of body issues? People who are thin are never hated on through social media— they’re usually praised with an abundance of heart eye emojis and feeds overflowing with compliments on their ‘perfect bikini body.' Little do they know that that person could be taking in those compliments as tips; starving themselves, some even becoming bulimic, to keep that ‘desirable’ figure.
This is a side of body shaming that gets ignored.
And the main reason why it is ignored is because people do not realize that what they say may seem like a harmless joke or even a compliment to them, but is received as and taken in as a mental reminder to have to maintain the exact weight (or to become thinner) to uphold the image of being ‘that thin girl.’
Being underweight for the majority of my life, I have gotten countless of these kinds of comments: “You’re stick thin!” or “stop worrying about what you eat, you’re lucky you’re so thin and can eat anything!”, and my personal favorite: “Are you anorexic?” (yes, I have been asked this before and have been teased with this word). Getting these comments day after day really messes with your mind, and as I have become older, naturally, I have gained weight.
As I started to notice the ever so slight increase in number on the scale I also started to realize myself looking in the mirror more often; pulling and tucking at various parts of my body that I disliked. I did not think I fit that ‘thin girl’ persona anymore (ignoring the medical fact that I was a perfectly healthy weight for my age and height).
This is not another article being written to ridicule the ones who are doing the teasing, but instead, it's to be a light at the end of the tunnel for those who are feeling a disconnect with their bodies. The end of that tunnel is there, and that is one thing I can pinky promise you. But you are the only one who can come to that realization.
The realization that you are more than a number— on a scale, of compliments, of likes or comments on a post. Human beings will always be a complex species; a profound amount of different things makes up just one single person, that makes up just you! So choose to ignore the comments and just believe that you are a beautiful, smart, funny, and a total bad ass person who can rule the world, because I know you are capable of it.
Things are easier said than done, and trust me, I know that from experience. This is still an ongoing battle with myself; trying to have to have the confidence to walk to the rhythm of my own beat. Once you do, though, you will not regret it. Make today, right this minute, the moment in which you choose to believe in yourself, and not what the people behind the screens are saying.
Every story has two sides to it. Body shaming— and any other kind of shaming— is not an exception. Love for all and awareness are key. Perception of beauty is deformed and the only person who makes you feel beautiful is you, so go out and rock this world in the kick ass body that is you!
