My mission:
All sizes are beautiful! Don't be ashamed of your number or keep it from living your life and doing what you love. There is no perfect or wrong size. It doesn't determine our worth and nobody has the right to judge someone's health by their size. So let's show the world that every size can be happy and that we are not ashamed!
How to participate:
I would love to see all different sizes represented in this link up. Whether you are a 0 or 32, participate! This is a weekly feature so each link up will be open for one week. You can add your link anytime during the week. All genders, sexes and non-genders are welcome to join in. Use whatever sizing you are most familiar with. You can link up with me every week with a new post or join in every once in a while! The rules are simple. Post a photo of yourself on your blog, being stylish that week. Post a full body shot, so head to toe! State your size in your blog post or with a graphic on your photo. No diet talk, weight loss talk, negativity or any type of body shaming allowed. This is about being happy with your size and shape, not because it is socially acceptable, healthy or better than others. Then come back here and add your link using the link tool at the end of this post.
I used to feel so much hate towards my body, especially my VBO (visible belly outline) that it caused guilt and shame. I tried hiding it from people, thinking that they would also hate me if they saw it. That the mere presence of such a despicable body part would deem me as forever undesirable. That I would be loathed and ridiculed. I thought I could trick people with my slender wrists and ankles and as long as they didn't see this unspeakable sin, I could be part of the human race. I would fantasize about slicing it off or maybe if I hated it enough, it would shrivel up and just fall off. To me, it was a tumor and made my life miserable. I hated it for not allowing jeans to fit or for me to have washboard abs. I kept my arms and hands tightly wrapped around my stomach or a purse hanging in front to conceal it. Billowy shirts and empire waists were supposed to keep my horrible secret by cutting me in half, right below the breasts. My body started at the top of my head, ended below my breasts and then started again at my legs. I was like a woman sawed in half at the carnival. It was fucking exhausting. Then I decided to accept it as part of my body and to stop separating myself from it.
I welcomed my VBO with open arms and now I love it as much as all my other parts. I am a whole woman again, no longer sawed off at the waist. I had to piece myself together and take in every bulge and bump. It was painful but when the pieces started fitting together, I knew it was the best thing I could do for myself. I threw away the journals filled with sketches of my belly before and after I achieved the miracle fix. Instead of seeing it lying on a surgery room floor, I dreamed of running through fields of daisies naked with my stomach bouncing along with me. It is full, round and soft. It looks back at me when I look down and I pull up my jeans over it. It comes along when I sit around the house in panties or when I dunk it in a pool. It gets warm and cozy when I curl up for a movie and sitting down is no longer a well-executed maneuver to conceal it. I let it be touched and loved. I smile bigger and live bigger. I am a whole woman.
shorts : thrifted
top : thrifted
cardigan : thrifted
vintage scarf : thrifted
glasses : coastal
flats : payless
leggings : we love colors
real bug necklace : gift shop
Are all your parts attached?
grab the button
- Rachele
19 ♥ COMMENTS ♥:
"It was fucking exhausting." Word. So much truth in that one statement.
Thanks again Rachele.
Gah! THis outfit is amazing! Love it. And love that you have so much love for your body! You are such an inspiration. And tights with shorts. Yes, I may have to rock this!
Love the orchid tights! You have phenomenal color sense, putting together really sophisticated combinations.
We should all be so accepting of ourselves and one another.
Nicely put.
You're the bomb.com. Annnnd I love those tights with no feet on you!!! (While I shy away from them. Cold feet!)
I can relate as I struggle to cover and conceal my round middle. I love how you are embracing you and I hope to be able to do the same - I'm getting there!
we have similar bellies! #win
such an inspiring post! im' still scared of my VBO. i've also been scared to wear tights with shorts, since I prefer longer shorts. but yours look cute!
Wow I can definitely relate. There have been so many times I've obsessively squeezed myself into Spanx or changed outfits 50 times just because you can see the line of my stomach. My friends all thought I was nuts! It's time for me to also embrace the VBO. I finally got a camera, so I hope to join the link up soon!
Rachele you are so incredibly inspiring. Thank you so much much for your insight and I Am Proud of My Size Link Ups.
I want to kiss you. I love this feature and I always find your words so inspiring.
Your frank and honest words are so very touching! You are so very inspiring. Thank you for sharing this!
You are the best. Thank goodness for you and your beautiful approach to life and truly living life.
Hello Rachel,
I truly appreciate your thoughts. But is there any need for wearing that trouser like a grandpa would? I mean, this looks like you´ve got a tumor or something. Don´ t get me wrong, you are cute and beautiful, but is that a belly/ abdomen or is that an illness?
Greetz from Germany.
Rachele, once again your fearless attitude has drawn me in and your frank and smooth writing has captured me. Not only are you spearheading the body acceptance movement, you give it a voice that is relatable, honest, and captivating. Of all the blogs I "follow", I find myself checking yours most often because you are so fiercely real in everything you do. I look up to you, both as a writer, and a woman. Thank you for everything you write.
Wow, I love this outfit! The pink leggings add just the right color balance. You have such a knack for the clothes you wear, always so great to see these posts for that reason and more :)
This is beautiful. I love reading about how you've grown to love & embrace your body. (Also, I LOVE your outfit).
Oh I just found this blog, and well you are awesome! This post made me smile, laugh and touch my own VBO and think maybe I should just get over it and show it off too! Cant wait to keep reading your blog!
I'm coming to this post really late but this article hits so close to home. I hate my belly, and hopefully one day I can accept it and love it like you have. I wish I could cut it off, and I do everything I can to attract 0 attention to it. I've always felt like I was the only lady who felt this way (crazy, I know) but reading your article makes me feel like I'm not alone and that I should love my body!
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