All of my life I have been overweight. I can remember as early as 8 years old feeling like a large animal. My feelings of self-hate continued until just four months ago, when I was blessed with the knowledge of red lipstick. However, I recently recall having a small moment of self-acceptance.

Two years ago I skipped class to go home and as I was walking down onto the platform, I stumbled upon a woman who ran a self-acceptance blog that I followed religiously.

Her name is Jes Baker and she is an amazing woman doing amazing things.

There is one post of hers in particular that I recite on a daily basis titled "Womanifesto":

i am a GOOD girl.
i will NOT, however, behave myself.
i will screech, cry, cackle, roar, shake, storm, dance, clap, sing, swear, smile when i feel like it.
because i am alive.
i will toss all other standards and measuring tools aside.
because they are not mine.
i will be as B-I-G as the universe intended me to be.
bigBIGbig.
my right is to f*ck it up... every now and then.
my right is to express my feelings. i don't care if you don't like them.
my right is to be wildly inappropriate.
my right is to wear a dress one day and dirty hair the next. they are both good.
my right is to be as educated and informed as i can.
my right is to be a fabulous lover, artist, girlfriend, feminist, daughter, advocate, seeker.
my right is to speak up when the point is moot.
my right is to be sexy and seduce myself.
my right is to give a sh*t.
my right is to not give away my inner stockpile of courage.
my right is to dip into my overflowing reserve of love and give it away.
my right is to be a lover AND a fighter.
my right is to apologize if i mean it.
my right is to blare music as loud as i can and singscream along.
my right is to worship the female form and mind.
my right is to support all of the c*nt-lovin women in this f*cked up world we live in.
i'm gonna wear war paint and weave these into a banner that i'll hold above my head while i RUN.
no longer will i hate my body.
i will love every inch of my sensitiveagitated skin, every tiny areola, every extra tummy roll, every chipped tooth, every part of my breasts that succumbs to gravity...

...and i will always smile,
but i will not behave.

You can read the full version here.

I absolutely love "Womanifesto" to the point where it hangs next to my bed. Jes' words are sincere and unapologetic. Her feminist power piece allows readers to feel comfortable in their own skin first, then kick ass in the world second. She writes in a way where she gives permission to finally give herself a break and live on her own terms. I encourage everyone who has bad days to read "Womanifesto" as it truly does make all the difference, I can definitely vouch for that.