Name: Andrea (co-founder of BeYOUtiful Campaign). Age: 18. Where she's from: Curaçao. Her story: My body has always been my biggest insecurity. It all started when the mother of one of my friends commented that I had gotten fat after moving to Spain. That was the moment I realised everyone could "see" me, and I began being body conscious. I was nine. My body became my greatest obsession. Exercising until being exhausted, feeling guilty about eating chips, not wearing a bikini unless I was strictly going into the water, not wearing shorts, doing diets, researching for hours what food would help me lose weight, and many, many more.
I soon realised this was not the way I wanted to live. I did need this toxic mentality in my life because it was making me miserable. So, I started looking for body positivity around the Net. I soon discovered a whole community of beautiful girls trying to love themselves for who they were and my mindset started to change. However, I didn't truly start to believe it myself until I discovered that when I saw another girl with a big belly or huge legs I did not think "Ew, she should lose weight", I actually thought "Wow, she's rocking it". I did not judge others and criticised them the way I did with myself. So, if I could see beauty in others, why couldn't I see myself through the same eyes? This was eye-opening. I was my worst enemy. Only I judged myself and had nasty thoughts about my image. So, I started loving myself, little by little. I started to look for beautiful things about my personality (I love to write, I am kind, I am a good-listener...). As soon as I recognised these qualities my confidence boosted up. Soon, I was more confident in my body too. I stopped feeling guilty about food, or about having one extra rest day. I started seeing my curves as something beautiful and unique. I started dressing with clothes that made me feel sexy and enhanced my figure. I stopped feeling miserable for having a size 40 (European size) and I finally understood that my body is how it is. Of course, there are good days and bad days. On good days I look in the mirror and see someone beautiful with no flaws whatsoever. On bad days, I analyse every part of my body and take mental notes on what needs to be improved. It's a process of learning to love yourself. Every day a little more. And in that process of love, you grow. Keep loving yourself, Andrea
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