Growing up, I often found myself caught in the trap of trying to be as small and thin as possible, constantly chasing an ideal that felt both unattainable and exhausting. The phrase from the image, "did we ever stop obsessing over being as small as possible? yes & still got plenty of work to do," really resonates with me because it captures the ongoing struggle many face with body image. What changed for me was shifting focus from being skinny to being strong. Strength isn’t just about muscle or physical prowess; it’s also about mental resilience and self-acceptance. I began to appreciate what my body could do rather than how it looked. This mindset allowed me to build confidence and health on my own terms, not based on societal pressures. The hashtag #strongnotskinny is more than just a trend—it’s a movement that supports embracing curvier, muscular, or fuller bodies as beautiful and worthy. For me, letting go of the thin ideal meant improved energy, better physical performance, and a healthier relationship with food and exercise. If you’ve felt overwhelmed by the pressure to conform to a narrow body standard, remember it’s okay to define strength differently. Find joy in activities that make you feel powerful, surround yourself with positive influences, and celebrate every step of your progress. The journey to loving yourself starts with choosing strength over skinny.