Real with Rue

The lack of positivity in body positivity:

It’s a weird one, I’m going to be very honest and say that I don’t know if true body positivity really exists in practice. As much as it’s a nice concept and the movement deserves more recognition. I think it’s so difficult to enforce body positivity, when we are surrounded by images of ‘perfect’, filtered woman. For example, let’s take this generations (common) ideal body on a female is an hour glass exaggerated figure or slim but with exaggerated features. If I go onto my instagram and twitter 99% of people will have a similar body type.

Body type is not a Fashion

I remember when I was 13, I would see girls in the magazines and on TV promoting small bum, abs and the thigh gap. Now, this generations (common) ideal body on a female is an hour glass exaggerated figure or slim but with exaggerated features. The main issue for me is the idea that there is a type of body that comes into ‘fashion’. This concept removes the fact that our bodies are affected a lot by our environmental experiences and genetics we cannot control. This is why sometimes people who are the same size may look very different.

Surgery modification is nothing new, but what is new is the increasing accessibility. When I was younger, the idea of cosmetics surgeries were for the rich because of how expensive surgery is. These days, it’s a lot more accessible as companies have payment plans for procedures, or even a quick trip to Turkey. I am someone who does not hate plastic surgery of any kind, in fact for some cases I am pro surgery. I personally don’t believe that people wake up and think “I want a BBL for me” out of thin air. If this was the case, people would not be getting the same exaggerated hourglass figure.

Role of social media

I very much believe influencers play a big role in body positivity and image. When you look at someone you admire, theres certain aspect you admire, the more you look the more you like. I believe it is an individual who needs to be comfortable and content in their body, this does not mean zero insecurities but acceptance that your body is forever changing.

The constant policing of women’s bodies and comments and suggestions when people have not asked. As someone that comes from an African household, I think when it comes to peoples bodies do not offer your opinion. I remember when someone told me I was skinny and it stuck in my head, but before that I didn’t think anything was wrong with my body. When you offer your ‘suggestion’, you don’t know how someone will internalise your comment.

The more bodies that we normalise on social media and high end fashion brands from different sizes, shades and conditions the better. This is not to shove it in our faces, but because this is true reality.

Health is wealth.

In all honesty, what really truly matters is that you are healthy mentally, spiritually and physically. Through lockdown, I have discovered peace of mind is highest level of true body positivity. If my mind is right, then my body is the same, the true power of the mind is underestimated. The bible even quotes how life and death is on your tongue. I’ve applied this to my body, by not constantly saying bad things about my body. In fact, I have never been more happy with my body than now, its not perfect and I still have insecurities but I won’t let them consume me.

Its been real,

Rue x