I'm 5'8, 145lbs, a size medium in most of my tops, and anywhere from a size 4-6 in jeans and shorts. This summer I'm pretty much forcing myself to wear crop tops and things that show my stomach — I'm hoping I can gain some confidence. I have love handles if my jeans or shorts don't fit me just right and that bothers me the most.
I work out all the time, but as I'm getting older I'm getting "child birthing" hips.
Anytime I bring up the fact that I have things about me I don't like, I never get told things that will make me feel better but instead get told, “Oh shut up, I wish I had a body like you."
Or “Natalie, stop."
Skinny girls on social media can't say they are insecure about their bodies without getting told that they are fishing for compliments.
Regardless of weight, society has set this "norm" of how girls should look. Almost all of Instagram's model edit their pictures. They have no love handles, have perfect boobs and a great butt, have no imperfections on their face, have the whitest teeth, etc.
I know my love handles are normal and I know plenty of women have them, but I can't help but compare myself to the beautiful girls all over Instagram, even though I know what they are posting isn't real.
If you are reading this is you are in the same boat as me, just know that you need to stop comparing yourself to others because it will only make you feel worse.
You are beautiful in your own way and there are plenty of women out there that have the same insecurities as you.
You aren't alone.