Like many women my age, I find it
difficult to reconcile the idea that I should be a cool, confident “Girl Boss,”
with the reality, which is much more complicated. Some days, I look in the
mirror, and I love the way I look. I feel confident and beautiful, and very
much in charge of my life. Other days, I have a hard time even picking out
clothes that I don’t feel horrible in. I think that while we may worry that we
are alone in feeling this way, many people, both women and men, feel the same.
However, in this world of
technology, and social media, it is easier and easier to put how we feel on a
public forum, and to let others know that they are not alone. I still find it
difficult to talk about my feelings, and the many insecurities that I have, but
others are very vocal about it. Reading the social media posts of individuals
who are not afraid to write about their struggles have helped me to come to
terms with how I feel, and attempt to change the judgements that I hold against
my body and my life.
I have a
few favourite bloggers, and social media influencers that I look up to, but my
two favourite are Callie Thorpe, and Megan Jayne Crabbe (also known as
bodyposipanda).
Callie
Thorpe is a beauty blogger based in London. She is a plus sized model, and
writes about make up, clothing, food, and travel. I love to read her blog,
because she writes about how anyone deserves to enjoy clothing, food, travel,
and life in general, no matter what their size is. I also really enjoy living
through her travels, gorgeous apartment, and her beautiful hair. She also
stands up to bullies and trolls on the internet, and posts videos of how she
feels when she gets threatening messages, because she is a plus-sized woman who
dares to be happy and successful in public. Callie’s accounts are fun to
follow, because even though she has a fabulous life, she also posts videos of
her cooking with her husband, and dancing to her favourite songs. Moat of the things she posts are relatable even if you're not British, a model, or plus-sized. She is one of
those people who you feel like you really know, even though you don’t.
Megan Jayne Crabbe is a body positive blogger and social media personality. She advocates for love and respect for anyone, of any gender, size, and ability. Megan also talks about her own struggles with eating disorders, which I think is very important in letting others know that they are not alone in their own struggles. She is also very supportive of other women in their quest for body positivity. She posts images and blog posts from other women, mostly friends of hers, and encourages her followers to check out their Instagram pages and blogs. Megan also writes loving posts about her family, her friends, her boyfriend, her dogs, and lots of fun dancing videos. I am always struck by how happy she looks in all of her videos, which is something I aspire to be. Megan Crabbe has also written a book, called Body Positive Power, which I haven't read yet, but I am very excited to get.
These
successful, compassionate, beautiful women inspire me to try and be better to
myself. To love myself, despite any weight gained, or how I think I should
look. We are all deserving of love, happiness, and respect, no matter our size,
or disabilities, visible or not. It is important to open our minds to more than
just what society tells us is okay. It is important to give respect and love to
those who might not get very much, because of how they look, how they dress, or
who they love.
I do not
pretend to be an expert, but I have learned a few things from the women listed
above, as well as many others. I have learned that you can’t wait to live your
life – it’s happening now, so seize it. Your body is the one that gets up every
morning and goes through your day, no matter how difficult or annoying – give it
the love and respect it deserves. And finally, you can never be too busy to
allow yourself time to be you, whether that is dancing, playing music, reading,
meditating, or whatever else you do to relax and enjoy your wonderful life.
