Skinny shaming is real. Just as real as fat shaming. I'm well aware some of you may argue that I can't complain because I am thin and that the media says thin is beautiful, but that just shows that you have no clue what it's like to be skinny shamed. And men can be skinny shamed just as much as women can. I will admit I am guilty of thinking a guy is “too thin” for me. The media sets beauty standards for both men and women and tells us that thin, but not too thin, women are beautiful and that big, strong men are sexy.
People don't seem to realize that saying, “Wow you're so skinny,” or “Do you even eat,” is uncomfortable to hear. While I understand you may be complimenting me on my body type, I can see the look you give me, the jealous and bothered look. The I-wish-I-had-your-body look and the that's-not-normal look.
But I am naturally this skinny. I always have been. And to set the record straight, I do eat like everyone else, and if you've never seen me eat it's probably because you don't know me.
And saying out loud how much I weigh is just as embarrassing for skinny people as well. The typical reaction is “You only weigh that much?” ... and then you're looked at like a freak. Or there are the people that will say “Can I pick you up?” like as if to see if they can lift you. I'm not a dumbbell. I'm a person. I don't care if you want to prove something by picking me up.
To those who say you don't need to go to the gym because you're already thin? Stay on your own treadmill, please. I don't go to the gym to lose weight. I go to build muscle and keep my heart healthy. To help my stress and feel better about myself.
Today's society also needs to stop judging people on the sizes of their clothes. Just like weight, the number or size on your clothes doesn’t matter. People judge me or tell me how lucky I am because I only fit in the smallest sizes for clothes. They’re just clothes! Who cares what size I’m wearing! If my shirt fits me then it fits me, I’m not going to care what the label tries to tell me I am.
People think it's fine to joke around about being skinny, but it's just as offensive as joking around about being fat. It hurts people. It makes them self-conscious about their body, and people shouldn't be uncomfortable with their own body. I don't want to be self-conscious of myself if I'm wearing a clingy shirt or a shirt with an open back, that shows my body. I'm completely happy with my body and I'm not afraid to wear clothes that make my body look good no matter if people make me feel bad about being “too thin.”
It's time for people to stop labeling others as “too” this or “too” that. There is no “perfect body.” The body you got is the one you have. If you can look in a mirror and say you're happy with how you look, then no one else's opinion matters. Because, at the end of the day, it's your happiness that means the most.
