Your Own Twist Linkup: BOPO

Jacket:  Old (similar here) // Tshirt:  The Fiance’s LOL // Pants:  LOFT // Boots:  Old Navy (sold out, similar) // Hat:  Ralph Lauren (old, similar here)

It’s time for another monthly installment of the Your Own Twist Linkup with Shelbee On The Edge.  Today’s theme is a BOPO inspired outfit.  I was originally thinking of wearing a special dress that makes me feel absolutely amazing, but I decided to keep it real.  I decided that I’m going to wear what I feel most comfortable in, and that is, jeans, tshirt, and a faux leather jacket.  If I could wear this every single day and even to work, I totally would.  I feel comfortable, badass, and pretty all at the same time.

When Shelbee On The Edge and I came up with this idea as a theme, I thought about what I would write in this post and how I would encourage others to be body positive.  I’m going to be extremely vulnerable in this post.  You see, I’ve been very self conscious about my body from a very young age.  The first time I ever looked at myself in the mirror and thought I was fat was 5^th grade.

Ever since that moment, I’ve struggled with being happy and comfortable in my own skin.  When I was in high school I started working out excessively.  I so badly wanted to be accepted into society’s standards.  I weighed myself every day, and I recorded my workouts so that I would push myself to do one more pushup or one more crunch the next day.  I stopped eating at a certain time and refused to eat anything after that time.  I wouldn’t even chew on a piece of gum because I was scared that it might make me want to eat something.  My friends became so concerned that they went to the guidance counselor and said that they believe I have an eating disorder and need help.  At first I was extremely angry with them because why couldn’t they have talked to me first?  Later on, I wasn’t as angry because I knew they were just looking out for my well being.  My parents didn’t even know this was going on because I was extremely good at hiding it.  They eventually caught on and I had no choice but to start eating again, and stop working out as much.

I still have issues with my body, but now that I’m in my 30’s I have come to terms with myself.  I have realized that society’s standards are bullshit.  I’ve tried different workouts and diets, because I’ve learned to treat my body as a temple.  Of course I indulge, but I also eat healthy so that I can make sure my body is in tip top shape.  I’ve become obsessed over how healthy I am, not what size I am.

No matter what size you are, you are beautiful.  We are all different and unique.  Just because someone is skinny, you don’t need to tell them to eat a burger, just because someone has an athletic body, doesn’t mean you tell them to cut down on the exercise, and just because someone is heavier, doesn’t mean you have to tell them to cut back on the food.  What people don’t understand is these statements can be extremely hurtful.  You don’t know if that girl you just told to eat a burger is trying to gain weight, you don’t know if that girl you just called fat has actually lost 100 lbs recently.  The thing that I also have an issue with, is when people ask if you are pregnant.  If it’s not extremely obvious (aka if the person actually told you they are pregnant), don’t ask.  One of my blogger friends has had this question asked twice already, and it made her feel horrible.  No one should ever have to feel like that.

I wish that one day, every single person out there will be 100% happy with their body.

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xoxo Monica

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