There are always going to be people out there that will troll others online, criticize people for how they look, or even mock them to their face. We'd like to think most of this gets left in the playground, but adults are pretty bad for it too. It makes it extremely difficult for the many who don't fit the absurd beauty standards set by the media to get by without feeling self-doubt.
However, as Grace Victory shows, it's possible to focus on self-love to change the way you see your own body. In a recent body positive Instagram post, Grace took a mirror selfie of herself, naked except for a towel. But it was the message alongside it that gained her plenty of supporters.
She wrote:
"More rolls than a bakery. I remember d**kheads at school saying that to me when I was a size 12 and struggling with an ED.
"Now I’m in recovery and loving my body no matter what it looks like, as long as I’m healing and well and f***ing living my best life – that’s all that matters."
This isn't something Grace has always been good at, as she admits she learned to embrace her body over time. Speaking to Metro she said:
"I used to really really hate my body and growing up it became a huge insecurity of mine. You never really see bodies like mine and if you do, they’re usually ridiculed, made fun of and used as a headless image in the newspapers to discuss health.
"Having therapy, the body positive movement and embarking on a spiritual journey has allowed me to connect inward and appreciate who I am. And I am so much more than my physical self."
She took the photo at first and didn't think to post it out of fear, but this week she decided she was no longer scared and took the plunge. "I shared it because representation matters and self love is for everyone," she explained, "no matter what their bodies look like".
Grace was extremely proud that her followers (both new and old) "are able to appreciate the beauty that is all around us," and was surprised that she didn't notice many abusive comments, as are so common on the internet. In addition, she has some important advice for those who haven't quote got to the stage where they love themselves:
"You are so much more than what you look like. Despite what society may tell you, you are good enough… you always have been.
"Get educated, get angry and remember that the diet and beauty industry will tell you that there’s something wrong with you, and then they will sell you the solution to fix it. You don’t need to be fixed."
Grace's words have inspired a lot of people so far. In just a few days it has gained just under 17,000 likes and countless comments from those who were moved by her message.
Hopefully, her advice is something people will take to heart.
