Kirsten Bosly, of Perth, Australia, has become an overnight sensation thanks to her powerful words about body image.
During a recent beach outing with her family, Kirsten felt uncomfortable, embarrassed and ashamed while in her bathing suit. As a plus-sized woman, Kirsten felt as though wearing a bathing suit was an extremely stressful event.
But, standing there on the beach with her children and husband, Kirsten had a life-changing epiphany….
Kirsten shared her important realization on her hilarious Facebook page, 1MotherBlogger:
«Today marks a new beginning for me.
For most of my life I have hated my body. Despised it. Loathed it. Resented it.
Wanted so very much for it to change; for it to be smaller, thinner… less ‘fat.’
I’ve used it and abused it.
I’ve blamed it for a lot of things.
I’ve been terribly ashamed of its wobbles and dimples; like somehow they are the measure of who I am.
I recently read a meme that said something along the lines of ‘be in pictures with your kids because when you’re gone, the pictures will be all they have left’ and it struck a nerve. I’ve avoided pictures most of the time as I disliked how I looked in them.»
«Not any more!
The truth is, I’m tired of being ashamed of my body; it’s done nothing but support me for 41 years…. So today I let go.
I let go of the hatred and resentment of this body of mine and chose to enjoy it for what it is; my body. I asked The Pants to take this photo so the kids will remember us enjoying this day together, cellulite and all.
No cover up.
No board shorts.
No ‘modesty’ towel.
No filters.
Just us.
Any you know what? I’m not ashamed. Really.
I look at this photo and all I can see is how happy we are and that’s awesome.
I finally feel free and it feels awesome!»
Now Kirsten can actually enjoy precious moments with her family, instead of worrying constantly about what other people might be thinking!
In an email to the Today Show, Kirsten explained how the thought came to her a little further:
«I was standing on the beach, stressing out about it, and just had a moment of clarity when I realized the only person judging me in that moment was me.
Nobody was paying me any attention and the only thing stopping me from just letting go and embracing myself fully was a bag full of hang-ups that I had created and chosen to carry around.»
No one should miss out on fleeting memories because they feel uncomfortable with their own bodies!
Now Kirsten hopes her body-positive message will help others feel more comfortable in their own skin! We only have one life — it’s time to live it happily!
