So... Learning to love your body can be pretty difficult. Trust me, I know.
We live in a world full of glamorized thinness, diets, and condescending "I'm just worried about your health" comments. Companies with advertisements that feature models bigger than a size 2 are glorified as revolutionary, but it's still impossible for the average-sized woman to confidently shop in most major clothing stores. Society's views on what our bodies should look like are so twisted that plus sizes start at size 8 in the fashion industry!
When you're constantly surrounded by messages that say your body isn't good enough because it takes up too much space, you start to believe it. Luckily, people are starting to demand change. The industry is still trying to cling to its traditional beauty ideas, but strong, brilliant, loud women are speaking out and saying no, DEMANDING to be seen.
It's a beautiful, inspiring change to witness.
For me, it has been so helpful to see women outside of the traditional stick-thin model box stand up and demand respect. It has helped me learn to love and respect my own body, and be more outspoken about body positivity and the issues that fat women face.
For me, these six women are the ultimate role models for curvy girls everywhere. I hope they inspire you as much as they have inspired me.
1. Tess Holliday
The ultimate badass body activist! Holliday is a model, writer, makeup artist, feminist, and body positive activist. In 2013, she started the #effyourbeautystandards movement on social media to encourage women to love their bodies the way they are and to wear what they love, regardless of what society dictates is "flattering" for their size.
Inspirational quote: "I often think, 'is this gonna piss people off because I'm showing off my body?' If I think it will, then I'll wear it. People put their fears on others. Just because you're afraid of being fat, don't put that on me. I'm not recruiting people to be fat. I'm just existing in this body and I've found a way to love it."
2. Ashley Graham
Model and writer Ashley Graham is a fierce fighter for self-love and positive body image. She has modeled and designed lingerie, starred in a major pop music video, given a TED Talk about body image, and is the first plus size model to be featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
Inspirational quote: "The thing that I really want to promote and that I want women to understand is that it’s not about wanting something else; it’s about being self-assured about your size and also just loving your body."
3. Brittany Gibbons
I'm not kidding when I say that this woman has changed my life. Brittany Gibbons is a writer, blogger, model, body activist, and all-around brilliant and funny human being. Her books, Fat Girl Walking and The Clothes Make the Girl (Look Fat)? have probably been the most influential weapons I've used in my fight for self-acceptance.
Inspirational quote: ". . .I realized that people are allowed to say whatever they want to me about my weight, but it’s entirely up to me how much power I let those words have over me. I’m not obligated or required to accept negative commentary about my looks. I’m not less confident or honest for ignoring that it’s there. I’m just confident enough to know it’s not true.”
4. Nabela Noor
Youtuber and makeup magician Nabela Noor is AMAZING! Not only are her eyeliner skills out-of-this-world incredible, she is also an awesome body positivity advocate! Her YouTube channel is full of makeup tutorials, political discussions, and open, heartfelt honesty about her self-acceptance journey.
Inspirational quote: "I am not going to reserve my happiness for a later date or a later weight. So I am not going to wait until I fit into a size 6 pair of jeans for me to be happy and confident. It's gonna be now!"
5. Kristin Chirico
Buzzfeed senior editor Kristin Chirico is who I want to be when I grow up! She's funny, honest, and very outspoken about issues that plus sized women face when it comes to clothing. She's not afraid to admit her insecurities, but she also faces her fears and wears things that terrify her. What a badass!
Inspirational quote: "Professional and/or event-specific dress codes aside, you should never have to feel like a trend is "off limits" just because some hater told you so -- especially because when styles change in three to five years, that hater may very well change their mind!"
6. Mindy Kaling
Inspirational Quote: "You know what's funny? If I call myself a cute, chubby girl, the natural kind woman's response is, 'You're not chubby! You're beautiful! And thin!' And I always want to hug the person and say, 'It's OK, I identify as someone who is cute and chubby – that doesn't mean I'm not worthy of love and attention and intimacy."
