Surabhi Tiwari is a 26-year-old influencer. She emailed us her story about body positivity. Her story will inspire everyone trying to deal with their body-image issues. I hope you read it and write back with some of your own!
“I’m 26 currently. I grew up chubby and that almost inevitably comes with bullying. I’d be nervous before the BMI test during the sports class. I knew the other kids would hurl jokes and names as soon as the BMI went above normal. I was good at swimming but even that tad bit of confidence got snatched away when a fellow classmate joked about how the water would come out once I dive into the pool. The other kids found it funny. I didn’t. Maybe I smiled that moment to somehow hide the embarrassment I was experiencing. Of course, as a kid and as a grown-up now, I want to be fit and I’m doing all I can for it. Who doesn’t want to have a so-called perfect body? But there is no such thing as perfect. There is nothing wrong with being the size you were born insto. There is nothing wrong with being comfortable in your own skin whether fat or skinny, fair or dark, tall or short. Imperfections stand for individuality. But we, as kids, were not taught that. I don’t blame the little kids for being mean. They practice what they’re preached. Topics like body positivity are nowhere in the moral science books.
As an adult, I know I need to be vocal about this. It’s all fun and glamour till the curtains are lifted. The life of an influencer/public figure, especially on social media is more than just free stuff, photoshoots, articles, and all things good. The trolling is abusive. The comments can be hurtful. So, let’s talk about this *not so talked about* part of public life today.
As a 26-year-old, I remember smalls instances because those comments and jokes scarred me as a kid. Today I realize that it was never me who was not good enough, neither was it those other mean kids. It was the society that did not – and does not – do a very good job teaching us about kindness and individuality. My motive is to reach out to all the boys and girls who are too nervous to go to school because they know they will be bullied. These children should know that imperfections are beautiful. It’s time these young people are taught the real meaning of being *cool* which is kindness and love.
Every picture I post, whether of myself or an opinion, comes with a barrage of comments and DMs. Some would appreciate the flaws, comment on how well I carry myself. Others come up with creative ways of slut-shaming, abusing, and threatening you. When I first stepped into the acting industry, such messages would make me question myself and my career. I knew I was right yet there was this constant doubt in my head. Unfortunately, that doubt, lack of confidence, and fear has always been there. It’s just that on social media and as an influencer, these things happen in more terrifying ways. Perhaps the bullies in high school thought their actions had been normalized. Perhaps they think rape threats and trolling are okay. It is not.
Our bodies are different. Let’s normalize those differences and appreciate what God has given us. I urge people, especially the young ones, to be proud of their imperfections. Don’t hurt someone else because you are hurting. You do not have to dim somebody else’s light to shine brighter!”