As a woman in today's society, I know how hard it can be to love how you look. I know how looking in the mirror and seeing all of your imperfections can make you go insane. I've spent many years disliking my mid-section and trying my hardest to cover stomach rolls. I'm here to try and finally put this hatred of my body because it is not "perfect" to an end. I'm learning that something as minuscule as fat on my stomach does not cover up my kind heart or my free spirit. Society's beauty standards don't define me. Below is a poem I have written about my own struggle with body image. I hope that maybe it can help you get past whatever obstacle you are facing with your own body image.

I'm tired of looking in the mirror

And feeling disgusted

At the rolls on my stomach

Staring back at me,

When I should be liking

What I see

Because they are just one little part

Of the whole big picture.

They don't define who I am

Or tell me what I should be.

I am art.

I am so much more than society's standards

Of beauty, telling women

That they are “not good enough”

And that we are solely judged on our bodies

Instead of our hearts and minds,

That we all must look like a “10”

To be worthy of love.

I'm tired of being told

That you must be a certain size to be beautiful

Because I've seen beauty in every shape,

And I know that we can rise above

These inaccurate stereotypes.

I want people to look into my heart

And dig into the depths of my soul,

Instead of only looking at my appearance.

I want society to start

Valuing ideas over sex appeal

And realizing that there is more to us

Than what meets the eye.

Don’t let society steal

The flame that ignites you

Because you're too worried about

Not looking “good enough.”

In reality, you're already beautiful.

It's true.