Body shaming comes in different forms and, sadly, some people don't even know how to talk to people without body shaming them.
All of us do it, whether openly or secretly and sometimes it's out of ignorance and I don't blame some people, to some extent.
I mean if everybody were given the chance to choose the kind of body size, weight, and height they want, you would be surprised and amazed by people's choices.
Everyone has their ideal body type, size, shape, and weight.
The struggle between weight gain and weight loss is almost the same so if one is blessed with an average or equalized size then it's not a privilege to mock or body shame others who aren't.
If you are neither extremely thin nor fat then you are of all men most fortunate but it's not a license to body shame others.

Growing up, I have never been body shamed, or perhaps I never understood what it meant to body shame people so I didn't put it into consideration or let my tender little mind be troubled.
I was always nagged by my parents and grandparents, even my aunties for not wanting to eat proper food to gain some weight but rather feed on junk and snacks. Sometimes I was scolded and called all sorts of things like lanky, thin, and skeleton. I was mistaken to be too tall, (long) at my age being that I was obviously very slim
In case you aren't aware, being slim makes you look rather taller than your actual height lol, that's a funny truth. A slim or thin person's height will always be more obvious compared to someone who has weight or is thick.

^{A rare picture of my transformation}

I never understood at that time that I was being body shamed for being too slim. I only grew up loving my body, my size, and my height
Nothing they said got to me. It's funny how things don't easily get to me except it's beyond boundaries.
At that time, I was the tallest among my siblings even when I was the second child. I was the thinnest too lol. I still don't eat much and I still find my joy in snacks and junk, don't blame me, I am happy with my life😌😁
However, I never thought I would add flesh or be thicker than I was when I was younger.
Although I think maturity struck me and did something to my body, people started saying I was looking thick and asking what I've been feeding.
The question seemed a little weird and awkward sometimes, I mean I am still eating the same meal I've been eating over time but with a little more junk lol.

So when those questions came during that time, I was shocked myself, I don't even think I had noticed the changes in my body but I only know that at a point, I usually felt heavy, tired, and easily wearied.
This was when I accepted my predicament of weight gain and it felt very different.
The compliments I got were quite different from what I used to get when I was thinner.
This is when it struck me that I was actually body-shamed the whole time back in those days.
I usually fight off negative thoughts or compliments, that's my personal growth process, I don't let things get to me.
So when my friends share their predicament, I ask myself if I could ever stand anyone doing or saying such things to me and I don't react or give them a piece of my mind. I am not the type that takes shameful compliments for granted.
And I don't give anyone the chance or privilege of even saying any rubbish to my face, they are welcome to do it behind my back but never to my face.

Stop Body Shaming!

Some people are hurting by the shameful comments we throw around and call jokes. It's not everyone that can handle negative comments or compliments and so we should be careful of the things we joke about.
It's not everyone that grew up like most of us did who didn't allow negativity to have its way in our lives.
Some people grew up with low self-esteem and things easily get to them.
Some people are fighting battles and hateful comments are the last things they wanna add to their problem.

I have seen friends who earnestly try all their best to either gain some weight or lose it cause they are tired of being mocked or ridiculed.
They can't handle the mental pain anymore, the hurtful comments, etc.
It's sad to see what these people go through daily.
But more than anything, I think we should all learn to love and accept ourselves the way we are and not give room for negativity.
Eat well, exercise if you need to, and drink lots of water and take care of your health.
Don't let what people say about your weight or size bother you, don't let them get to you.
Have a wonderful weekend!

^{PS: Photo is mine except stated otherwise}

             14 October 2022
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                Friday