Body Image // #Unretouched

When I was in middle school, I started noticing little red marks on my hips, thighs, boobs and arms. I figured out they were “stretch marks” - and to my knowledge and feeling, nothing about these marks were beautiful. I spent the next 15 years or so ashamed of them. I would obsessively workout my arms and go to the tanning bed, hoping it would help. I’d put makeup on my stomach and thighs before wearing a swimsuit in public.
Guess what? At my thinnest and lightest weight, they were still there and I did everything in my power to try and cover them up.
Gosh. I wish I could go back in time and tell that insecure girl that it didn’t matter. That there is so much more to life than what you look like.
I wish I could tell her to GO to the pool party and EMBRACE your body. WEAR THE TANK TOP. Don’t let your appearance DEFINE you.
I know it’s easier said than done, but maybe, just maybe by sharing this... somewhere, someone will read this and know they are worthy. They are enough.
This photo series is of me, the first time I went out in public wearing a tank top this season. Those first few steps were hard but then I just embraced it. These photos are #unretouched and I’m realizing you can barely see the marks on my arms now, but they used to be bright red in high school and I was so embarrassed I had them. If this is or was you, you’re not alone girlfriend. You can move past it. Confidence is the best outfit you can choose.