My Husband's 'Acquaintance' Body Shamed Me on Facebook

I have always been self-conscious about my body, but as I’ve aged, I’ve found a newfound appreciation for it. I’m learning to embrace my curves and occasionally flaunt them more than I did in my younger days. After all, this is who I am, and there’s no reason to hide it. It took time, but I’ve started to dress in a way that accentuates my figure, including outfits that show a bit of cleavage. Five years ago, I would have never dared to do that, but now, armed with my “I don’t care anymore” attitude that comes with being in my 40s, I’m ready to shine.

Recently, my husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary with a fancy dinner. I dressed up in a stylish black jumpsuit that highlighted my assets. Feeling confident, I even added some fake lashes for that extra touch. We snapped a selfie to capture the moment, and after some deliberation, I decided to post it on social media, celebrating our years together and our four kids. I didn’t expect anything beyond well wishes and compliments.

The dinner was delightful, a much-needed break from our busy lives as parents, and I was on cloud nine. But when I returned home and went through the comments on my post, I stumbled upon one that completely shattered my joy.

A so-called “friend” of my husband from high school, whom I’ve never met, commented, “Congrats! I also just remembered I need to get two jugs of milk at the store.” I was floored. How could someone feel entitled to body shame another person, especially someone who is married to a friend of theirs? It’s disheartening, but unfortunately, it reflects how society often treats women’s bodies.

At first, I chose to stay silent, but when a friend inquired about this individual, I felt compelled to respond. I replied to his comment, “Comments like this are what’s wrong with our world. A woman tries to be body positive and is shamed for it. It’s people like you who diminish a woman’s self-confidence. But I refuse to be affected. I felt beautiful last night, and my husband thinks so, too. That’s what really matters.”

His response? Crickets. It’s easy to hide behind a screen, but when confronted, he had nothing to say. My husband crafted several responses but ultimately decided to block him, which was fine by me. I didn’t need him to defend me; I was more than capable of standing up for myself.

People like this aren’t friends; they’re harmful. They perpetuate shame, and it needs to stop. No one deserves to feel insecure about their body. I’ve struggled with my own insecurities, stemming back to childhood. I can still recall a boy’s hurtful comments during a kickball game when I was 12. Words can leave lasting wounds, and it’s crucial to address these issues instead of brushing them off.

We must educate those around us. The tide is turning, with brands embracing diverse body types and platforms like Pinterest banning weight loss ads. We can combat diet culture and body shaming together.

So, embrace your body. Treat it well; it’s the only one you’ve got. Don’t shy away from showcasing what you love about yourself, and feel free to call out anyone who tries to bring you down. They don’t have the right to hurt you.

In the end, this person is out of my life, and if our paths ever cross, I’ll be sure to remind him of his thoughtless comment. And yes, I have screenshots. Always take screenshots. Your move, buddy!

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Summary:

In this post, I share my experience of being body shamed by a friend of my husband on social media. Despite my efforts to embrace body positivity, I encountered a hurtful comment that made me reflect on the societal issues surrounding women’s bodies. It’s crucial to stand up against body shaming and promote self-love, as words can have lasting impacts.