I am sure I had periods where I hated my appearance and I am
sure I have had periods where I was comfortable, even loved how I looked. But
as a teenager…I am not sure what I felt.
I probably felt what most teenagers seem to feel- wanting a
smaller waist or bigger breasts. Boys to like me. A date for the dance. To be
on the homecoming court/cheerleading squad/captain of the debate etc. – you get
my point.
I write, every now and again, about body image. About health
at every size and continuing to live a happy, healthy, active life not dictated
by the scale. I talk openly about how much the topic of body image can drive me
into a frenzy. Either because of how hurtful people can be or because of how body
focused we have become, even when trying to not be.
I like to think I am at a healthy place with my body. I like
how I look (most of the time, I mean come on- I am still a human) and I try to
not let my outward appearances change how I feel about myself as I also try to
not let other people’s outward appearances change/skew/determine how I feel
about them. I mean, yeah it is so easy to make assumptions by looking at someone.
But how often are we wrong when doing so? I have no numbers here but I can tell
you that most of the times I have done that my assumptions have been wrong. And
what did it ever get me – a whole lot of nothing good. So I try to stop. I try
to treat everyone with kindness and respect and to be open.
I am thirty-six (soon to be thirty-seven) and it has taken me
a long time to get comfortable in my own skin. It is something I am proud of
and I want everyone to feel this same way, it’s liberating.
That’s me now, and it took me a long time to get here.
And then there is Ally….Ally Del Monte AKA losergurl. She is
16 years old and she is my role model. Funny, I know. She’s so young but man,
she has got it all figured out. She is smart and funny and beautiful and has
the biggest heart. I love her writing, her perspective. But more than anything
I have so much respect for her bravery. She puts her life out there, in the
open for the world to see, and she doesn’t sugar coat the harsh realities of
what life is like as an overweight teenager. I read this piece she wrote on the
Huffington Post (originally from her blog) and I was just floored by how
authentic her voice is and just how absolutely amazing it is to see someone
just 16 years old really understand the truth and impacts of body image and how
societal beliefs/norms can make just about anyone feel substandard.
It is such a great piece and I would love for you all to
check it out. Either at the HuffPo or Ally’s blog.
Thank you Ally, even though you don’t know me (and will
probably never see this), for being the epitome of courage, self-love, kindness
and compassion…at just 16 years of age.
Love and hugs-
Dacia
xoxoxoxo
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