Tess Holliday Instagram – When I founded @effyourbeautystandards 10 years ago, I didn’t think about what it would be like to approach 40, nor how my body and the industry would evolve. I was a bit naive, brimming with excitement and hope for a world where I could truly love myself. It’s easy to love the person you see in the mirror when you’re younger, constantly working, carefree (well, mostly), and frequently getting boosts of serotonin. But what happens when the industry you love changes, when life takes its toll, and your body no longer looks the way you remember? How do you love yourself then? When it’s quiet and you’re forced to sit with who you really are, does that love, or even like, still flow?
For the last year I’ve been really struggling with going out in public and being public facing. I found myself internalizing work looking a little different and equating that to not being worthy. I had to confront many insecurities and anxieties head-on. So many times, I caught the negative self-talk getting louder in my head and I let it take the driver’s seat.
Everything changed a few weeks ago when I woke up one morning and thought, “What the f*** are you doing?!” I’ve been in difficult spots before, and the only way out is through. Does my life look a little different than I imagined? Yes. Does that mean it’s bad? Absolutely not. The pressure (self-induced) pushed me to get creative and make a lot of changes. It turns out, this doesn’t make me a failure; it makes me human.
I’m so grateful to so many of you who have been on this journey with me, the ups and downs, calling me in, the love, all of it. Also, shout out to *Inside Out 2* for messing me up this last week—wrecked me! Wherever you’re at in life, whatever you’re dealing with, big or small, keep getting up, keep fighting, and don’t listen to your anxiety. Don’t let it rob you of moments with your loved ones, your community and more importantly YOURSELF. Don’t let it win. Honestly, it’s a brat girl summer, so tell it to STFU. You don’t have to love yourself to succeed, you just have to try and be a little delusional. I love you, and I love me too. #effyourbeautystandards | Posted on 24/Jun/2024 09:35:54
