reflections in the mirror

I am that girl.

The girl people are whining and complaining about while shopping.

The girl who gets her clothes from the top of the pile.

The girl so small she can typically find jeans for about 80% off on the clearance rack.

That's me.

And even though you probably don't believe it, I've spent plenty of time staring in the mirror hating what I see. But I came to realize that I shouldnt be doing that, and neither should you.

There's been a post going around facebook, the one with the two pairs of shorts. A size 4 laying on top of a size 10. The shorts identical in size.

The post, was in general a great read.

Body image is a very real struggle in America. And I'm sure the girl who was a size 4 struggled with accepting that she was now a 10.

But I'm that girl. And while depending on the store, my size can vary. I'm her.

I'm the 00.

And a year ago. When I was wearing a size 5/6. I felt it. I hated that they made clothes as small as they do and whined because "no one that small is even healthy."

But I was wrong, and maybe you are too.

I don't want to be a 00. Actually, I hate it. I hate nothing more than when people look at me with envy and tell me "I wish I could be as small as you."

As a culture, we could really work on our views about body image.

We look down on people for being "too fat," turn around and try to make people feel bad for being "too small."

Embrace it. Embrace the body you've been given.

The number on your jeans. It's just a number. I promise you I hate the 00 as much as you hate the 12.

So let's all just stop.

Stop shaming. Stop hating. Stop guilting.

We are what we are.

Yes, stores are making clothes smaller. Accept it.

They're also making clothes bigger.

They're trying to appeal to a broader range of people. It's simple marketing. They're trying to sell to a younger age group. I promise you, that girls start shopping in American Eagle a lot younger than they used to. They don't want to sell "little kid" sizes. So they modified.

Embrace the body you've been given. Or shut up about it. Sure. Some girls are the size I am because they are trying to be. But I'm sure there are plenty much like me. I'm the size I am because of the life I'm living. I walk for two hours everyday. I do yoga. I don't sit on the couch. I eat Kale. I drink almond milk. I stay away from preservatives and foods that aren't natural.

Clothes are in smaller sizes, yes. But does smaller make those size any less real? Is my size any less real than yours?

And honestly, if clothing sizes ran the way most people want them to, I would forever be shopping in the little kids section.

you're perfect. just the way you are. remember that. today. tomorrow. forever.

"You are altogether beautiful my love, there is no flaw in you." -Song of Songs 4:7