Femme Plus March 2017 | Page 54

BODY

POSITIVITY

breaking down the misconceptions

Learning to love my body , flaws and all , didn ’ t come easily . Growing up I was teased about being bigger than others at school . I was ridiculed and often passed over by boys due to having dark skin and extra weight on me . I was often overlooked while boys focused on other girls . I can definitely agree with those that say it is very difficult in adolescent years to have a positive outlook on your body , when it seems like everyone else finds every reason to criticize you .

I heard criticism and “ jokes ” about my

“

Body shamers

size
so much
growing
up that
it just
became
easier
over time

to joke about myself usually assume first . The way that body positiv-ity is something saw it , beating everyone to the punch with jokes only women of about

myself soften for me .

the plus size community
seemed to the blow
My family
even
fortable

participate in
grew com- calling me
“ big girl ”
ing me weight teenage
and teas-

” about my during my years , because
they had no idea my peers were doing
the same in a way that made me feel uncomfortable
. It caused me to not feel good about
myself . I dressed in over sized clothing , and
tried my best to fly under the radar outside
of playing sports . The less I was seen , I was