Thirtyfor30: Your body, your rules

I didn't grew up an obese but I was always on the heavier than normal side since I was a little kid. I was taller than most in elementary and healthier than most back in middle school. In college, I survived the piles of school work all thanks to stress eating. At work, we eat pizzas like rice. I hope you get the picture by now! 😅

In 2018 when most of my self-love work started, that's when I decided to slowly come out of my shell and be confident of my body irregardless of how it looks or other's perception of it. Prior to this, you'll never see me in a bikini or any revealing clothes; I'd be covered from head to toe.

One time, a friend commented on a bikini photo I posted on Facebook saying "I wished I had your guts to wear a two-piece the entire time you're in the beach. I do too but only for pictorial purposes; I'd wearily snap photos and get dressed as fast as possible."

I was like her once. I'd even sneaked out a friend to take photos of me before anybody else could see what I was up to. I'd think twice before posting even scavenge the best photo, the one that shows less flabby arms, less fatty belly. But I've outgrown this fear.

With the rise of social media is the rise of advocates who like me believe that all body shapes are worthy of being celebrated. You don't need to fit into the perfect hourglass body shape to earn the authority to wear clothes that makes you shine. The world's standard of beauty is slowly decaying as more and more individuals, not just women, start to understand there's no need to hide behind cloaks of fear and humiliation.

Life is too short not to slay! 🥰😍