5 Ways Being The ‘Fat Girl’ Has Made Me A More Confident Woman

Being overweight is like wearing bright yellow in a sea of black. It draws attention. I have been the “big girl” my entire life. It’s a physical characteristic that is as descriptive as the color of my eyes or the brownness of my skin. My size, however, has come with a price. My weight has made me the center of jokes and name-calling. It has created a collection of judgment from family, friends and society as a whole. I am a target for body shamers everywhere. Being the “fat girl” has made me a stronger woman. It has also given me an all-access pass to understanding both the world around me and myself. I’m still learning to accept who I am regardless of size, but the knowledge I’ve gained while on my journey of self-definition has opened my eyes. Here are five important things I have learned: 

1. My worth is more than my physical features. Being body shamed has forced me to see my worth not only externally, but also internally. There is more to my identity than a cute face or thick thighs; I am all of that and more.

2. People will judge me. At this point in my life, I understand being judged is not a reflection of who I am as a person, but of other people’s inability to see me for more than my body.

3. Self-confidence is crucial. Sometimes I try on clothes that make my stomach look rounder or show the jiggle in my arms. However, I have learned that if I do not present a positive attitude about myself to others, then no one else will. I have to be my own cheerleader, even on my worst days.

4. Everyone deals with body image issues. Sometimes it’s easier to put someone else down than it is to address the issues we have with ourselves. Being the “big girl” has helped me empathize with other people’s body struggles, even when they put me down.

5. My body is my business. Over time, I learned the value of reclaiming my body. It is my business. I do not have to answer questions about how much I weigh or what size I wear. I am the person who has to live in my skin every day. Do what i like. Make friends and find some interesting things you want to do. such as online dating, Enjoy your spare time. Raise your head. Just tell myself: being a fat girl is not a shame. Being the “fat girl” has given me a new perspective on myself and on the world in which we live in. My size does not define me. I am a brick house, and no one can knock me over.