No one is confident all the time. While it takes a lot of work to love yourself everyday, it is also important to remember that discovering confidence is a process.
That's what Instagram model, Emma Breschi, discovered as she looked back at her past self. She posted a side-by-side photo comparing her body three years ago to her body today. While she took a mirror selfie in similar poses and underwear in both pictures, she is a bit heavier in the more-recent photo. And that's something the model is proud of.
While she weighed less three years ago, 25-year-old Emma says she is a lot healthier, stronger and happier than she was before. Her 34,000 followers were there for the body positivity, as the post received 4,500 likes in less than 24 hours.
Emma's caption reads:
"I don't need to go into a big monologue, but all I can say is on the left I was smaller, I was unhappy, quiet, insecure and unhealthy. I didn't eat, I didn't exercise and I didnt love myself. On the right, in my present, I am bigger, I am happy, I am loud, I am secure and I am healthy (well...when I'm not smoking lol)."
"I do eat, I do exercise and I do love myself very much. Self love and acceptance is a journey of growth and it's different for everyone. But when you let go of self doubt, that's when you let in self love. Size doesn't matter. I just aim to be happy, aim to be strong, aim to be healthy and aim to be YOU."
She shared an added bonus of her weight gain at the end of her caption, followed by a few laughing emojis: "Also lol soz ignore the lube in the background of the right - but if it helps I'm also alot more sexually confident [sic]."
Her followers loved her post's sentiment, with comments reading: "Yes Emma! Such a cool read from a cool girl. Love watching you be yourself, it’s beautiful" and "You LOOK great either way, I'm glad you're happier now."
Some even felt inspired to share their own stories. One person commented: "Thank you so much for this! It really helps me when I read these things and helps me love myself and feel more confident and comfortable in my own skin."
"I’ve never been severely underweight whilst struggling with my eating disorder, and i don’t think i ever will be, and because of that, I’ve been invalidated and continue to be on a daily basis by health services, friends, family etc.. People like you are helping to change this stereotype and invalidation and i’m so grateful for that. So thank you. You’re amazing," wrote another.
Cheers to Emma for sharing her journey, and inspiring others to feel good about the skin they're in!