Earlier this week I went to an event hosted by Instagram and Elle magazine to celebrate women who tell their stories on social media. There was a panel discussion, and when question time came I raised a shaking hand, and asked the most influential woman in the room what she thought about the toxic side of social media, and how much she worried about her daughters body image being influenced by what she saw. Her answer? Young people are smart nowadays so they can control how much the media affects them, they know what's real and what's photoshopped and we don't give them enough credit. Now, some of the most intelligent people I've ever known have been the ones to fall furthest into the depths of eating disorders and self hatred. So being smart has nothing to do with it. And sure, most of us can tell when an image has been photoshopped beyond belief, but that doesn't stop us comparing ourselves to it. We still get the message that this is the 'ideal', edited or not, and that we don't measure up. As for giving credit, let's give it where it's really due. To every person who survives another day at war with themselves because of the media poison that's seeped into their mind, convincing them they'll never be good enough. I left the event really disheartened, that someone who could actually change things would rather evade responsibility and avoid the truth. That smart, creative, extraordinary people are dying everyday for this. And while magazines and social media aren't the sole cause, they are a powerful part of the machine that works to reduce us to imperfect pieces, and sell us the solution. And denial isn't going to change that. To anyone out there struggling to find their self love, their recovery, I see you. I know you are smart, I know you are fighting against forces greater than yourself. Your struggles are valid, and your fight is a real one. So please, don't give up. And first steps? Throw away the things in your life that make you feel bad about yourself. Refuse to let them profit from a pain that they won't even acknowledge. You've got this.

A photo posted by Megan Jayne Crabbe (@bodyposipanda) on Jan 23, 2016 at 10:58am PST

 

This bodacious beauty is my fashion guru. She always posts the most gorgeous outfits that pair perfectly with big booty babes! I love her, and if y'all would like this goddess to grace your timeline, go check her out @thechelseasmilex #LoveYourself #Encouragement #BoPo #Feminist #AlternativeCurves #effyourbeautystandards #celebratemysize #bodypositive #pizzasisters4lyfe #positivevibes #allbodiesaregoodbodies #mybodymyrules #Empowered #riotsnotdiets #Confident #NobodyShame #SelfLoveWarrior #Happy #edrecovery #Empowerallbodies #Inspiration #GoddessVibes #Inspire #Beautiful #Girlgang #BodyPosi #BodyPositivity #BeautyisNotGeneric #edsoldier #healthynotskinny

A photo posted by Cheyenne (@goofy_ginger) on Jan 24, 2016 at 7:42pm PST