I posted a short on here that shows the photo on the left—a younger version of myself with a caption saying, ‘I just want to be strong and healthy.’ It then cuts to a clip of me ‘today’ (the photo on the right) with a caption that reads ‘you will be,’ as if my older self, or myself today, were talking to my younger self, encouraging that younger version of myself to keep going. In the photo on the left, I was at the near lowest point in my life so far. I was struggling in all aspects and was classified as ‘underweight’ according to my height. I felt awful. All I wanted to be was strong and healthy, and I made it my goal to get there… and I did. The short has gained quite a bit of traction, and has received a lot of comments, these just being a few of many of their kind. There are hundreds of other comments like these on this short. And I would confidently say that 90% of them are from men or people that appear to be male from their profile/username (not to say that women don’t leave these types of comments because they definitely do). These comments really started to blow my mind a little and got me thinking and asking questions… Why is it considered ‘manly’ to want to be strong as a woman? Is it because I’m in a bikini, my hair is down and blonde? And in the ‘After,’ it’s slicked back, so I don’t look as ‘feminine’? Why is it that as women, we must be the smallest version of ourselves to appease men and the male gaze? Maybe not even the smallest version of ourselves… but the most ‘perfect.’ Don’t be too skinny; you still need a big butt. But don’t get too fat or put on too much muscle either! The list goes on… and this doesn’t just go for men (and just to be clear this is NOT a blanket statement of “all men”). We have so much pressure placed on us to look a certain way from the media, other women, etc. I know posting these comparisons warrants comments and discussion. That’s what they’re meant for, and that’s why we post on social media. And I most definitely don’t expect people to know my entire story just by looking at me. And I guess that’s the point of this post. You will NEVER know someone’s story just by looking at them. You have no idea what people are going through, the struggles they’ve been through, or the battles they are currently fighting. I’m not making this post to receive pity of any kind or for people to feel bad for me. I don’t let these types of comments affect me. They just got me thinking, reflecting, and a lot of them genuinely made me lol. So if you’re currently on a personal journey of ANY kind, remember that not everyone is going to understand where you’re going or why you’re going there. It’s always important to put yourself, your wellbeing, and YOUR HAPPINESS first. Don’t ever give up your happiness just to appease someone or something else. Life’s too short not to love yourself completely 🤍
Show more