Amid all the campaigns, advertisements, and celebrities promoting body positivity, I still hear shame. Between all the compliments, likes, and comments, I still see hatred. Underneath all the makeup, hair products, and accessories, I still know it’s a facade. This is all coming from a girl that everyone believes has the perfect body.
It was only one month, but I stopped eating once. I know. Saying “only one month” doesn’t reduce the seriousness—or does it? Sometimes, I think it does because the actions of those around me say so. The compliments on pictures from that time twist my brain toward believing them.
But they are wrong. All of you who make positive comments about my body only to make negative comments about yours only make me question more. Why do I “look great”? How did I become “the one we’re all jealous of”? When did I create a “beauty standard”? Those questions don’t need any more time here.
Instead, we need to spend more time acknowledging how our words affect those around us. For instance, people constantly—I never go a day without—comment on my size: “Oh you’re so small!” Wow, I never would have guessed!! Okay, that’s a lie. I know. The tags on most of my clothing say “small,” so yes, I am aware—believe it or not.
I also hear many comments that people (because this does not relate only to women) make about themselves. Most of them are negative. I constantly hear the words fat, ugly, and disgusting. I typically see people hiding beneath multiple layers of fabric. And I always feel worse about myself and those around me.
What did you think your body negativity did? Did you think it filled the space between us without spreading your hatred? Did you?
I refuse to believe it.
Everyone knows the only thing that spreads faster than love is hate. We all know that. So I need to ask you something: why do you think that your body hatred doesn’t affect me? Trust me; it’s clear that you disregard the way it affects you. I wish you didn’t, but that’s not my battle to fight. The only person who can change how you think about yourself is you.
Since I’m not you, I will tell you how this affects me and everyone around you: sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, neighbors, coworkers—everyone. When you say, “I am ugly,” the person next to you will wonder, “What am I?” If you share, “I feel fat,” the person next to you will search their body for flaws. Our society is ran by comparison. At least two people will dissect one person’s “ugly and fat”, and a chain will start. Soon enough, thousands of minds will focus on nothing but body hatred.
That is not what I want. That is not what I need. I need positivity. I need your body and my body and the person you just thought of’s body to be one thing: healthy. And I need all of our mind’s to be another: happy.
That is all we need: happy and healthy. Say it with me: I am happy and healthy. If that’s false, fix it. Make yourself happy and healthy. Eat better, smile more, go on walks. Make small changes and you will feel big results.
Start with these thoughts:
A beachbody is a body on a beach.
Anyone can wear a bodycon dress on their body.
You can wear a flower crown if you put it on your head.
If you have a butt (everyone does), you can wear booty shorts.
We are not all supposed to look the same.
I know you know someone who needs to hear this (it’s okay if that person is you). Please, share these thoughts, whether it be with yourself or with everyone you know. We all can use a little positivity, and that’s why this exists.
