Body shaming remains a heated topic these days—'hot' or rather, not. Think of those 'Linda lines,' which are everywhere in the Netherlands, including on me. But mine come more from indulging in a bag of crunchy M&M's and a nice cold glass of cola—delicious! I don't do this weekly or even monthly, and I certainly don't die from it. A bit shows, sure.
Last year, I followed the Cambridge diet for half a year, shedding a total of 10 kilos. I'm not fully satisfied yet—with 4 kilos more than my pre-pregnancy weight after birthing three children. But I was so tired of snack tomatoes!
With a roll here and there, no taut stomach, and slightly fuller buttocks, I sometimes shame my own body. But not really! I'm not 20 anymore, so my body doesn't need to be either. I lack the ambition to meticulously track every calorie or workout, or the urge to flaunt my figure daily on Instagram. True pride doesn't require constant attention—at least, that's my view. Seeking endless validation can signal insecurity, much like shaming others. What does it say about you when you're hyper-focused and negative toward someone else's body? Your own issues?
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I deeply respect full-figured women who carry themselves with beauty, grace, grooming, and unshakeable confidence—flaunt those curves! I also admire the disciplined, toned women who grind for it. That's not my strength, nor do I have the time. Juggling three young children, a demanding job, and a partner with a hectic schedule is challenge enough—plenty of movement there, even if not always structured. So, can we just embrace being 'normal' in build? Absolutely.
Of course, I envy size 36 women, but I'll happily pass that to others—including myself 😉. A touch of self-deprecating humor helps navigate a appearance-obsessed world. There's a healthy space between obesity and anorexia—serious conditions often tied to distorted beauty ideals. But does a true 'ideal of beauty' even exist?
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Body shaming lurks everywhere: social media, gyms, pools, even schoolyards. Mocking others feels like a competitive sport, especially with celebrities under constant scrutiny. Every flaw—pit, pimple, wrinkle, stretch mark, or fat roll—is magnified without context or empathy. How fixated we get on others—phew!
Recently, I visited the sauna with a friend for the first time after my third C-section and a challenging recovery. Still body-conscious, but I let go, baring it all without fixating on judgments. In saunas, most people are insecure too, yet we respect each other's vulnerability. You notice bodies, of course—sometimes thinking, 'Wow, that slim figure!' or 'It could be worse...'—but variety keeps life interesting. Imagine if we were all identical—boring!
Image used via Shutterstock
