After welcoming my third child and navigating a global pandemic, I’m on a journey to reconnect with my body. Admittedly, I’m experiencing belly fat for the first time. When I bend down to pick something up or stretch into downward dog, I notice some skin that sags and hangs. I’m a fan of the mom jean trend—thank goodness we’re not back in the era of low-rise jeans! Imagine the horror of my thong showing or trying to figure out where to hide my belly in those. By the way, who even wears thongs anymore? They’re more like medieval torture devices than anything else.
As digital media gained prominence, body positivity became a part of the conversation again. We now see women confidently wearing swimsuits and influencers like Mia Reynolds showing us how to pose to minimize cellulite. With the ability to curate our social media feeds, we can choose what we see and who we follow. We can scroll past magazine covers that set impossible beauty standards and instead focus on more uplifting content. Here’s a quick tip: if you find ads that promote weight loss or body shaming intrusive, mark them as offensive. Instagram will adjust your feed, helping to reduce those negative reminders about body image.
For as long as I can remember, my thighs have been a source of insecurity. Growing up, I often heard the phrase “thunder thighs” tossed around, and at six feet tall by the time I was 16, I was frequently labeled as a “big girl,” even when I was quite slim. I was hyper-aware of how my thighs looked, constantly comparing myself to others. If I saw someone with athletic legs, I felt a pang of envy; if I saw someone less toned, I often felt ashamed. I was conditioned to view my thighs as something to be fixed, to be molded through workouts and diets. But they’re just thighs—not a reflection of my worth or effort, but simply part of my body.
Perhaps you can relate to this struggle. Articles that categorize body types or designate certain areas as “problematic” can distort our self-image. Who even decided that certain body parts should be labeled as issues to resolve? It’s all rooted in unrealistic beauty standards that often stem from societal bias.
I’m 18 years free from bulimia and other unhealthy coping mechanisms, but I still feel a sense of disorientation after having a baby during such a tumultuous time. With my husband and kids as my only audience, I’m now stepping back into the world and feeling nervous about how I’ll be perceived. What if people think my thighs are unattractive? These thoughts can easily dictate how I present myself.
But here’s the truth: thighs are just thighs. Yes, I might be bigger than others, but I’m perfectly suited for myself. We must reject the judgments of others that try to dictate our self-worth. Remember, your value is not determined by outside opinions but by how you feel about yourself.
Take some time to reflect on where these negative thoughts originated. Did you have a similar experience with body shaming? Addressing these past influences can be a significant step toward self-acceptance. If we struggle with self-hatred or shame, it becomes challenging to embrace who we are and make meaningful changes. So, let’s remind ourselves: you are beautiful, and your body is incredible.
It’s time to wear those shorts, flaunt that swimsuit, and reconnect with who you are. You are loved, and don’t forget it.
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