I’ve always been conscious of my body. However, as I’ve aged, I’ve started to appreciate what I have and even flaunt it a bit more than I used to. After all, this is me, and I’m not going to change. Hiding it seems pointless. It took time to arrive at this place, but I’ve learned to dress in ways that accentuate my curves, sometimes even revealing a bit of cleavage. Five years ago, that would have been unthinkable. But now, having embraced my forties, here I am.
To celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary, my husband and I decided to dine at a fancy restaurant. We dressed up, and I was feeling particularly good about myself, even wearing false lashes for the occasion. My outfit was a stylish black jumpsuit that enhanced my figure. The old me would never have had the confidence to wear it, but that night, I truly felt beautiful.
When we arrived, we snapped a selfie to mark the occasion. I noticed my breasts were quite prominent in the photo and asked my husband if I should crop it. He encouraged me to keep it as it was, saying I looked great. I thought, “Why not? I do look amazing,” and shared it on social media with a note celebrating our years together and our four children. I didn’t think twice about it.
Our dinner was delightful, a welcome escape from our kids, and I wished it could last forever. When we returned home, I checked Facebook and saw my post had garnered many likes and positive comments, which made me feel fantastic—until I stumbled upon a comment that shattered my good vibes.
A so-called “friend” of my husband’s from high school, whom I’ve never met, wrote, “Congratulations! I also just remembered I need to get two jugs of milk at the store.” I was taken aback. How could someone think it’s acceptable to body shame another person, especially the wife of a supposed friend? It was disheartening, but given societal norms, I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised.
Initially, I chose to remain silent. But when a friend asked if I knew him, I felt compelled to speak out. I replied, “Comments like this are what’s wrong with our world. A woman tries to embrace body positivity and is shamed for it. It’s no wonder we feel the need to hide. People like this destroy self-confidence. I won’t let it affect me; I felt beautiful last night, and my husband thinks so too. That’s what matters.”
His response? Nothing. It’s easy to hide behind a screen, but he had nothing to say when confronted. My husband was ready with responses but ultimately decided to block him, which I appreciated. I didn’t need him to defend me; I was more than able to handle it myself. That person isn’t a friend; they’re a detriment, making women feel ashamed, and it needs to change.
No one deserves to feel insecure about their body. I’ve struggled with my own insecurities, especially regarding my figure. Once, during a kickball game as a child, someone cruelly commented on my appearance, and it affected my self-esteem for years. Words can hurt and leave lasting scars.
We must educate those who make these hurtful comments. We shouldn’t ignore them but rather stand up for ourselves and reject body shaming. Thankfully, many brands are now embracing diverse body types, and platforms are taking action against weight loss ads. The fight against diet culture and body shaming must continue.
Celebrate your body! Nourish it, exercise, and treat it well; it’s the only one you have. Don’t hesitate to showcase what you cherish about yourself or to call out anyone who tries to tear you down. In fact, make them feel the weight of their words, because they deserve it. They have no right to harm your self-image.
At the end of the day, I’ve cut ties with this individual. The likelihood of meeting him is slim, but if I do, I’ll be sure to remind him of his unclassy social media behavior and the attention it received. Plus, I took screenshots—always take the screenshots. Your move, buddy!
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In summary, we should stand strong against body shaming and support one another in our journeys of self-acceptance. Everyone deserves to feel confident in their skin, and together, we can challenge harmful attitudes and promote body positivity.
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