As we grow older, we learn things. We experience everything from orgasms to intoxication to the death of a loved one. Some of these experiences are more general and long-lasting, like the impact society has on us. Maybe you don’t think about that, or maybe you feel like you’re immune to the media, advertisements, and opinions of other people. But what if I asked you one question:
What would you change about your body?
Think about it for no more than ten seconds. What’s your answer? Is it your belly fat, (lack of) thigh gap, or boob size? Is it your body hair, acne, or eye shape? What did you think of?
Now let me ask you how long you’ve disliked that part of your body and why. Is it because of something someone said to you? Is it because it doesn’t match what you see on other people be it celebrities or people in your city? Has it been something you’ve wanted to change since birth?
The Jubilee Project asked fifty people the same question I just asked you. The only thing is, half of them were adults and half were kids. Go ahead and watch this video real quick.
This video is proof that we aren’t born hating our bodies. In fact, we love them initially. They’re the thing that lets us see colors and dance around our room in our underwear. Our bodies let us kiss our crush and knit scarves as gifts. That vessel you walk around in gives you the opportunity to laugh till your face and stomach hurt, and that’s pretty fucking cool.
So take a lesson from the kid-version of yourself, babe. Remember why your body is awesome and just love it. Love yourself, forever. That shit should be unconditional. Self love, baby!
PS – I would like to clarify that it’s actually completely okay to experience gender dysphoria. If your answer to this question is “I’d be a man/woman”, that’s actually great. I support gender identification regardless of sex organs, and that’s not in any way what this post is trying to insinuate. I know you all know what I meant, and I love you. Just accept and love yourselves because you’re god damn gorgeous.
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Loved this. Thanks for sharing.
PS: bet you’d totally like a mermaid tail, right?
You’re very welcome. <3 And yeah of COURSE.
This was incredibly eye opening for me! Thanks so much.
That’s so great. Thanks for commenting, Amy!
Love this! Kids are so awesome, for so many reasons. And to be honest, I’ve never felt like I hated anything about my appearance, although I do sometime wish I was in better shape, as in not being out of breath rather than being slimmer. But that’s different.
You’re very right though, we should love our bodies for all that we can do with it! Kiss, and hug, and run, and play, and create!
That’s really excellent. Yeah, I agree that wanting to be in better shape is completely different than disliking your body or not engaging in self love. I can identify with that!
All you need is a little bit of perspective to show how warped thinking has become. I wish more people could see things like this and realize the self body shaming is no way to go about life.
Exactly!! Amen, Kati.
Mary, This was beautiful and made me cry. After having my hand accident, it TRULY made me appreciate the rest of my body more. I hate that my hand injury still frustrates me, but I love the lesson it taught me.
Yes yes yes. Sometimes it takes an injury or illness for us to realize that all this time leading up to the unfortunate incident we had full reign of that beautiful power. Whether it’s not being able to breath when you have a cold or not being able to walk when you sprain your ankle. When you’re not sick it’s easy to take breathing easily for granted. We have to remember how amazing our bodies are. They help us every single day, and I’m so glad your body is in my life!