TRIGGER WARNING: bullying
There was this kid that came to my school in third grade, and from day one, he was a kid that picked on everyone. He and his 2 older brothers were the guys that would pick on you while you’re on the bus. When I was in 6th grade we moved, and I had to take the bus… Remember those Jack Links Beef Stick commercials with sasquatch? Well, the oldest brother used to call me sasquatch on the bus, every single day I rode, To this day, I have no idea why I was called sasquatch, but he called me sasquatch and it made me so insecure. Being 12 years old and insecure was terrible.
One day in 7th grade, I was wearing a short sleeve shirt, at my locker doing my own thing getting out books to put into my back pack to go home, when this boy in my grade, came up behind me and poked at the underneath of my arm and laughed because it “jiggled.” That was the last time I wore a short sleeve shirt to school that year …and the next …and the next. It wasn’t until I was a senior in high school that I wore a short sleeve shirt without a sweater or anything else to cover up my arms.
This is the first time I have told anyone this, because honestly, I don’t act like I have any insecurities. I had to learn to love my body from a young age so no one could tear me down when I was made fun of, and it’s kind of something I’m thankful for, because when I was younger, I did get made fun of …a lot.
But I’ve come to terms with my body. I love my body, it’s a vessel for my mind, for my creativity, without my body, I would be nothing. I wouldn’t be here. My body can become what society wants it to be, but I’m comfortable with my vessel, my temple, if you will. I may never have a thigh gap… I may never have perfect perky breasts… I may never have a tight bum… but I will embrace my body, and I will love my body, because it’s my only body, it’s the only one I get, so I’ll cherish it, and I only hope you’ll do the same.
