Amber

“The hatred I had for my body could have sent me over the edge, I didn’t treat myself well or have any respect for myself. It took a really long time for me to understand that I didn’t hate my body, I loved myself just as I was, I hated that everyone else felt like it was their right to try and drag me down, that everyone felt like they had a right to comment on my size.”

“I was really excited to be a part of a project where I could maybe inspire women in the same way confident, plus sized women have inspired me.”

I totally understand what Amber is saying here, I was the same.  For a long time, I didn’t love or respect myself, and I treated myself badly.  I ate food that was making me sick because I didn’t know how to listen to my body, I put myself in dangerous situations because I didn’t consider the consequences my actions might have, and I stayed in relationships where my partners treated me badly because I didn’t think I deserved better.

Loving and respecting yourself is so important – it really will make an enormous difference to your life! The journey to self-love is not always an easy one. I am living proof that it doesn’t happen overnight, but every little step you take towards not just accepting who you are, but embracing it and loving yourself mind, body and spirit is more than worth it.

As for people who offer their unsolicited opinions of your body? I think Amber summed it up nicely when she said, “Yeah I’m fat, but I am also cute as a button and everyone who doesn’t like it can kiss my ass!”

Amber wears:
Black pencil skirt from Cotton On
Zombie Ghost Train band tee
Faux leather hooded jacket borrowed from a friend
Flats from Rubi Shoes