Body Positivity

Emily BastedoComplete disclosure here….I had anticipated writing something completely different for this post, but right before I sat down to write this post, I watched this video. You may have seen it on the blog’s Facebook page, but I couldn’t get the message out of my head. So, I decided to get a bit personal in this post and discuss my experience with being a “plus size” or “curvy” woman. It’s a little scary to be this honest, but I want to be open about my struggle with my body image and my journey to begin to accept who I am.

Even when I was younger, I struggled with my weight. It was tough being one of the “bigger” girls in my class, but I had a lot of great friends and my amazing family to keep me encouraged. Looking back, I let my size define some of my decisions – I let the insecurities of what I looked like define how I acted. Not anymore…

My journey to accept myself probably began when I started this little blog of mine about 2 years ago. This blog has challenged me to ask the deep questions – who am I? what are my values? what do I love? what do I hate? Yeah, sure, I am a ND grad and tech consultant, but what makes me – me? By exploring these questions, I have been able to see all of these other aspects of my life that are so full – I love musical theater, I have great family and friends, I love to cook, I love to continue to learn and be challenged. The more I started to develop this idea of who I am, the more I realized how unique I am. There are still plenty of things that I want to work on – I’m still pretty shy in new situations, I procrastinate too much, I over-analyze situations, but ultimately…

I love myself – and that includes my body.

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Are there days I struggle? Most definitely! There are always those doubts…would XYZ happen if I were skinnier? Would so-and-so person like me better if I weren’t this big? But, I am learning that those doubts would most likely still be there if I was a couple pounds lighter.

Do I want to lose weight? ABSO-FRICKIN-LUTELY! But, I don’t think losing weight is going to make me happy. I want to lose weight because I want to lower my cholesterol and reduce my risk for other diseases and conditions that really scare me. And I’d be lying if I said that there wasn’t a bit of vanity involved. The plus size clothing market has come leaps in bounds in the past few years. There are so many amazing companies providing curvy women with trendy clothes, but there are still items I want that I cannot get my hands on because of my size. (It’s not the biggest incentive, but it helps to keep me motivated).

Body positivity is something that I hope to promote here on Something Gold, Something Blue. I am a firm believer in being beautiful on the inside translates to the outside – y’all confidence is the best accessory (and shouldn’t we really consider it a staple?) I believe that you can look gorgeous at any size – every shape and size needs their own strategy for finding what they feel they look best in. My go to outfits have to have a defined waist to emphasize mine. Maybe you want to play up your killer legs or those sexy shoulders? Find what works for you and stick with it!

At the end of the day, my hope is to inspire anyone who stumbles upon my little corner of the Internet to feel empowered and know that they are AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL!! Really, you are AWESOME! Embrace who you are and go be that gorgeous, intelligent and awe-inspiring woman that I know you are! 😀

“You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously” – Levo League Instagram Post

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Affiliate Links: Pleione Top via Nordstrom Rack (similar, similar) | Sejour Fuzzy Jacket | Kut from the Kloth Jeans | Rebecca Minkoff Purse | Gold Tieks Ballet Flats

Photography by Lydia Hudgens

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P.S. I’m linking up with the Trend Spin Link-Up.

Leave a Comment

40 Comments

  1. Hannah wrote:

    This is SUCH an important post. I think many women struggle with their appearance and their bodies. I’m only 17 and I certainly do…but the media really has been more focused on changing the standards of beauty, which is such a big deal–I have such trouble ordering clothes online if they’re modeled on an unrealistic body type.
    By the way, I adore that jacket
    xoxo
    Hannah
    http://www.frecklesandolives.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.22.16 Reply
    • Emily wrote:

      Thank you so much, Hannah! I completely agree – I think that the media has made so much progress over the past couple of years! I am so proud to be living in an era where the image of beauty is becoming so diverse! I hope that there continues to be progress towards accepting everyone and encouraging each person to feel that they are beautiful!

      Posted 2.27.16 Reply
  2. Elizabeth wrote:

    This was wonderful, Emily! Thank you so much for your willingness to be vulnerable and share something so personal; the internet (and especially the blogosphere) definitely needs more perspectives like this! Walsh Love 🙂

    Posted 1.22.16 Reply
    • Emily wrote:

      Thank you so much, Elizabeth! I was extremely nervous to publish this post, but I am so glad I did. I am so thankful for all of the love and support I have received, including yours! Walsh love!!

      Posted 2.27.16 Reply
  3. Heidi Kokborg wrote:

    Emily, this is a lovely post to read. I really did put a smile on my face. I am so glad to hear that you are so body positive. There should be so many more people like you! And you look gorgeous and so happy 🙂

    Posted 1.22.16 Reply
    • Emily wrote:

      Thank you so much, Heidi!! I hope that by sharing my story/perspective, I can make a small impact on changing the “standard image of beauty” and we can work towards acceptance of everyone! Thanks so much for stopping by SGSB and for your support!!

      Posted 2.27.16 Reply
  4. Laura wrote:

    You’re gorgeous! Loved this honest post!

    Posted 1.22.16 Reply
    • Emily wrote:

      Thank you so much, Laura!

      Posted 2.27.16 Reply
  5. I love that quote about being a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time. Thank you for being open and sharing. Knowing ones’ individual worth is so important, I know that your positive message will inspire someone.

    Posted 1.22.16 Reply
  6. Meghan @ Hayes Days wrote:

    I personally had to reach the same place. I have a auto immune disease that makes it very difficult to loose weight so I had to find a spot mentally where I could be comfortable with my weight where it is and not let myself get consumed with the fact that my weight wasn’t what I wanted it to be. There are still points in time where I get really disappointed, but it’s helped to branch out and wear things that look good on me and make me feel really good instead of trying to keep fitting into things that just don’t work.

    Posted 1.23.16 Reply
  7. Iesha wrote:

    I’m loving the printed top and the jacket goes so well with it. Great look!

    oxo, Lesh
    http://livinglesh.com

    Posted 1.24.16 Reply
  8. elle spann wrote:

    i love when you are moved to write something other than what you intended. it may through off your schedule, but it feels so good to say. you are beautiful! love the floral print.
    elle
    Southern Elle Style

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  9. Darcy wrote:

    You are awesome, girl! I also love the quote you included about how we can be a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time : )
    http://www.amemoryofus.com

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  10. bakeforgranted wrote:

    Wow – this is an amazing post. Everybody, young and old should read this! Thank you.

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  11. I love all the color in this outfit. So pretty — and what a beautiful post, too 🙂

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  12. II love this! It took me a while to accept my body as it is as well. I was always one of the bigger girls at school, too, and I always thought I wasn’t worthy of being loved. Until I fell in love for the first time and my boyfriend taught me how wonderful I am. It is so important to have loved ones support you. We just have to accept that everyone is perfect the way they are! Thank you, Emily!

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  13. Arianne wrote:

    I love your pics and your message! I truly believe ‘curvy’ woman are more relaxed and happy. I am not curvy, but not skinny either. The stress and annoyance of trying to be skinny can make a person crazy!!

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  14. Preeti wrote:

    you are beautiful, girlfriend!

    xoxo, Preeti
    http://www.ninesto5.com

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  15. dawn wrote:

    Emily you are absolutely beautiful, and I love your blog. Thank you for being so positive and being a great role model to the blogging community. Love your outfit btw!;)

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  16. Amanda wrote:

    I really enjoyed reading you story. Keep doing what your doing girl, your beautiful!

    xx,
    Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  17. Anna wrote:

    This is a beautifully written post and I very much appreciate you being willing to share your story. You are gorgeous in every way, girl! And I could not agree more, weight loss does not pave the way to happiness! Keep sharing these positive messages! XO

    Anna
    alilyloveaffair.com

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  18. Astrid wrote:

    I so love your attitude of being beautiful on the inside. As a person who is trying to recover from compulsive overeating, I am so inspired by this body positivity movement. I mean, some modern psychotherapies teach that you have to accept what is first before you can change it. This means I have to accept myself as a plus-size woman. Sure, I do want to lose weight, but I’m still good the way I am now.

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  19. You are beautiful. I love everything about this post, your photos, and your blog! Thank you!

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  20. Kristin wrote:

    You are AWESOME for putting it out there! Loving yourself is the MOST important part!

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  21. Ashleigh wrote:

    That blouse is beautiful and you look great in it! I love the blue! Thank you for sharing about body positivity… I have struggled with this since I was a child and feel I will continue to struggle with a positive body image forever.

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  22. I loved this post!! I think that you look beautiful and I love that you wrote about the importance of embracing who you are
    Charlene xo
    The Frugal Fashionista

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  23. Tami wrote:

    I love that you speak from the heart. I am so much like you, yet I hesitate to share myself. You are beautiful.

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  24. Kerry wrote:

    Thank you for writing this Emily! I’ve had the same feelings since I was a kid and it only intensified after having my daughter. People expect you to lose the baby weight right away but it just doesn’t happen like that for some. So I’m doing my best to embrace who I am, baby weight and all! Keep doing you, you are beautiful!

    Posted 1.26.16 Reply
  25. Alissa wrote:

    I just wrote a huge post on dealing with body and I just want to stand up and clap you for you. The blogging world needs more honesty and you are KILLING IT GIRL!
    The Adored Life

    Posted 1.27.16 Reply
  26. KatyRose wrote:

    Love this post! I think body positivity is something most, if not all, women struggle with – no matter our size. I read an article the other day about a model who felt guilty for being a size 2 and all the self-hate she had for that when she ‘should’ have been smaller according to the industry. Size 2, 12 or 22, we need to love what we are at our very core and the vessel that carries that too. – Katy

    Posted 1.27.16 Reply
  27. A + K wrote:

    A refreshing post! Love the outfit too, great top!

    Posted 1.27.16 Reply
  28. Taylor Layne wrote:

    Amazing!! You are so gorgeous girl!

    Loved this post!

    Posted 1.27.16 Reply
  29. Ana wrote:

    Hi Emily, this is the first time I visit your blog and I completely fell in love with it. It’s amazing the way that you’re opening up to us and letting us know all this personal things, talking about weight and all that stuff its not easy for everyone, not even for models. It’s a really sensitive topic, since people can become so obsessed with it to a point where they develop eating disorders. It’s amazing that you want to loose weight, but for all the right reasons, to be healthy and reduce the chance of getting a disease. I support you a 100% if you decide to start that journey, always remember that what you weight doesn’t define you at all. Sending you lots of love, xx

    btw, I just followed you on bloglovin’, I never want to miss a post 🙂

    http://www.indiesuns.com

    Posted 1.27.16 Reply
  30. Adaleta wrote:

    What a lovely post that’s got a lot of nice substantial material. It’s so important to love oneself, every part included! Nowadays people are too caught up with looking like OTHER people, they forget to love themselves. Lovely message! xx adaatude.com

    Posted 1.27.16 Reply
  31. Christina Beauchamp wrote:

    Wow, what an incredible read! This is such an important message! Thank you for sharing so honestly. You are absolutely beautiful inside and out. And you outfit is perfect!

    xo, Christina

    Christina | Fashion & Frills

    Posted 1.28.16 Reply
  32. Alicia Snow wrote:

    Preach it sister! I think if more people learned to love themselves we would live in a nicer world.

    Posted 1.28.16 Reply
  33. Wanderer and the Wolf wrote:

    What an empowering post! Thank you for writing about something so important and for being so inspiring!

    xx, Caitlin
    http://www.wandererandwolf.wordpress.com

    Posted 1.31.16 Reply
  34. Trish wrote:

    YOU ARE AMAZING!!!

    Posted 2.3.16 Reply
  35. Leta Shideler wrote:

    Emily, You are a genuine treasure! Thank you for sharing your story and offering hope through your willingness to be vulnerable and courageous. I hope your message rings loud and clear to women and men everywhere!

    Posted 8.17.16 Reply
    • Emily wrote:

      Aww, thank you, Mrs. Shideler!! I have the exact same hope for Something Gold, Something Blue and all of the support I have received has inspired me to write these posts. So, thank you for the kind words – they mean more to me than I could express.

      Posted 8.18.16 Reply

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