Body positivity doesn’t include skinny girls.
Hot take: I don’t think people talk enough about how often skinny women are excluded from the body positivity movement.
I want to be clear: I’m not saying “skinny privilege” doesn’t exist or that it isn’t sometimes an advantage. I’m not saying skinny women are treated the same way plus-sized women are. We’re not. But that doesn’t mean we don’t deal with body issues; and it doesn’t mean our experiences should be shut down.
For context: while I’ve never been truly plus-sized. The heaviest I’ve been was 165 lbs (about a size 12 in jeans - see picture 3). I’m currently around 115 lbs (size 2). I’ve experienced being mid-sized and extremely skinny, and the pressure to “look right” never goes away; no matter your size.
The conversation around body positivity is mostly centered around bigger bodies, and while that visibility is important, it’s frustrating how often skinny women get told they can’t speak on their struggles because they have “skinny privilege” (as if it’s something in their control).
When we open up about disordered eating, dysmorphia, or being constantly picked apart, we’re told:
“You’re lucky.”
“You don’t get to complain.”
“You’re what everyone wants to look like.”
But that pressure to be thin, to stay thin, and to never show your insecurities? It’s real. It hurts. And just because our pain isn’t always visible doesn’t mean it isn’t valid.
What really gets me is how often women tear each other down in comment sections instead of showing support. Isn’t body positivity supposed to be about all bodies?
Body positivity should be for everyone! Not just the people who fit a specific standard.
Edit:
Im so inspired and so saddened by hearing all of the stories in my comments. If you are someone struggling and you don’t have a person you can talk to about it please feel free to DM me! I’ll listen to you judgement free. 🫶🏼
#womenoflemon8 #hottake #bodypositivity #bodyimagehealing #Lemon8
It's true, the term 'skinny privilege' often comes up in discussions about body image, and it's a hot topic! While I completely understand that being thinner can come with certain societal advantages, it sometimes feels like this concept is unfairly used to shut down any conversation about the struggles faced by those of us who are naturally thin or currently at a lower weight. From my own experience, having been both 165 lbs and currently around 115 lbs, the pressure to 'look right' or maintain a certain image never really goes away. It just shifts. One common struggle I've personally faced, and I know many others do too, is the constant unsolicited comments about my weight. 'You need to eat more!' or 'Are you sure you're healthy?' are phrases I hear often. It’s frustrating because these comments assume my diet or health status based purely on my appearance, much like negative comments directed at larger bodies. This often leads to feeling self-conscious about eating in public or constantly having to justify my body to others. It can also fuel anxieties around food and body image, even if you never had them before. It's a different kind of pressure, but it's valid. Another aspect that often gets overlooked is how isolating it can feel. When you try to confide in someone about body dysmorphia or disordered eating thoughts, you might be met with 'You're lucky to be that size!' or 'Everyone wishes they looked like you.' These responses, while sometimes well-intentioned, completely invalidate your feelings and make you feel like your pain isn't 'enough' to warrant support. This can lead to silently struggling, which is incredibly unhealthy. So, how can we navigate this? For me, it's been about redefining what 'body positivity' means on a personal level. Instead of waiting for external validation, I focus on what my body does for me. It carries me through my day, allows me to be active, and experiences the world. I try to unfollow social media accounts that make me feel less-than and actively seek out diverse voices that promote all body types and experiences, not just a select few. If you're struggling with similar feelings, remember that your body is yours, and your relationship with it is deeply personal and valid, regardless of what anyone else says or what society expects. It’s about fostering a community where empathy trumps judgment. True body positivity should be a safe space for everyone to express their body image journey without fear of being dismissed due to their size. Whether you're 115 lbs, 165 lbs, or any size in between, your feelings about your body matter, and you deserve to be heard and supported.
people attacking her in the comments are just proving her point tbh. crazy how yall are so offended by someone saying we should uplift all bodies