I Got Curves and Confidence—I Hope That Isn’t A Problem

To the right is a freshly pierced naval—a body modification that I think is beautiful, but others may feel is a distortion of the body. But that is not my point today. And yes, the picture is of my own stomach.
Looking at the average girl who has decided to get her naval pierced, one will most likely see a skinny girl whose body matches the media’s current image of “beauty.” Why is this? The simple answer is that girls who are “larger” or have curves, like myself, often do not feel comfortable with showing this level of confidence. I connect a naval piercing with confidence because, to me, it shows that one is proud of their body, or at least comfortable with it.
I, like many teen girls, went through most of high school thinking that my curves were ugly. Now, as a young adult I know how stupid I was to think that, but at that time, bombarded with the media’s image of beauty, I think it was almost natural to think that way. I’m just lucky enough to be able to look past the media’s image now and know that I’m beautiful just the way I am.
I will admit that I’ve lost some weight in the past six months. However my weight lost was only a result of living a healthier life style that makes me feel more energized. But being healthy doesn’t mean that one has to be stick thin. I still have some of my love handles and a big butt that my friends like to poke fun at. But I laugh right with them because I like my curves and I know they are just messing with me.
Women really need to start feeling better about the way they look. With the anorexia rates on the rise, according to the department of health, I can’t help but think that women are spending way too much time looking in the mirror instead of going out and doing something significant with their lives.
I’m not saying that every woman should go out and get her naval pierced to show her confidence, but there is nothing wrong with walking around with her head held high and her mind buzzing away with innovative ideas about the future instead of worrying about what the guy behind her thinks about her butt.