Body shaming has been highlighted a lot recently in the media, but I’ve been dealing with it for as long as I can remember. Whether these people were intentionally putting me down or just concerned for my health, I may never know but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that these comments have shaped me into who I am today.
It’s made me feel like I don’t eat enough.
“Go eat a hamburger.” “You look anorexic.”
It’s not because of that. In fact, I eat more than anyone I know. I love food. No matter what I eat, I don’t gain the weight. I have a pretty great metabolism, but in no way does that mean that I’m purposely doing this to myself.
It’s made me so insecure.
I don’t like walking in places while wearing lower cut shirts anymore because my collarbones are more apparent than others. Wearing bathing suits makes me uncomfortable because you can see my ribs. I can see it when I walk by mirrors and I know that other people notice it too. It makes me feel embarrassed.
I realize that being too boney is not ‘wifey material’. I’m not as fun to cuddle with because there’s nothing to grab and I don’t look nearly as good in a lot of outfits that other girls with curves do. It all just reminds me that my body isn’t good enough.
I’m not perfect.
No one is. But that hasn’t stopped me from learning to love my body. Sure, I have a long way to go until I’m fully comfortable but I’m a lot further along than I used to be. I consider myself lucky that I can down a large pizza and still want a large mac and cheese five minutes later. I have people in my life that support me and love me for who I am.
“Yeah, my momma she told me don’t worry about your size
She says, boys like a little more booty to hold at night
You know I won’t be no stick-figure, silicone Barbie doll”
–Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”
It’s not okay to make people feel bad about themselves because of something they can’t control, no matter what they weigh. People need to learn to love themselves without putting them down with comments and lyrics. Everyone is different and that's what needs to be embraced.