Ashley Monroe has had enough of the relentless “too heavy, too slim” chatter that seems to dominate our conversations. And honestly, so are we. The body positivity movement was meant to uplift women and instill confidence, not to make any woman feel less than. In a heartfelt piece for a popular platform, Monroe shared her own experiences with this issue.
This year alone, the stunning model has graced the covers of major magazines like the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Cosmopolitan, and Maxim. She’s been a trailblazer in highlighting the need for greater size diversity within the fashion industry. However, she recently faced backlash online for being perceived as “too slim.”
Comments like, “I can’t believe you’re doing this” and “You’ve abandoned plus-size representation for Hollywood’s standards” flooded her social media. One user even implied she was compromising her self-love for societal approval.
Monroe quickly countered these claims, explaining that as a model, she knows how to pose and capture the best angles. “It’s like magic to think I went from a size 14 to a size 6 overnight,” she quipped. “The truth is, I haven’t shed a single pound this year. In fact, I’m actually heavier than three years ago, and I embrace my body as it is today.”
But honestly, her size—or anyone else’s—should not be the focal point. It’s not our job to critique others based on their looks. Whether she loses weight or gains weight, that’s her prerogative. The same applies to every woman out there. We all deserve to live our lives free from negative judgments about our bodies. My closet? It houses various sizes because my weight fluctuates, and that’s just life.
“No matter how many empowerment events or motivational talks exist, women continue to tear each other down over appearance,” Monroe pointed out. “Body shaming isn’t just telling the curvy girl to conceal herself. It’s also criticizing me for hitting the gym. It creates a stigma around being ‘skinny’ and assumes that a belly bulge means I’m pregnant.” This behavior not only harms those on the receiving end but also undermines our self-esteem. More importantly, it sets a troubling example for younger generations. “What kind of role model are we being if adults are shaming others on social media for their weight or looks?” she challenged.
We really need to stop wasting our time nitpicking one another. Instead of fretting over someone’s jeans size, let’s tackle some of society’s pressing issues—like homelessness, climate change, and education. The list is long, and tackling these challenges would surely uplift us all.
“We can’t create meaningful change until we recognize and address our own behaviors,” Monroe emphasized. “If you see another woman feeling confident in her swimsuit, cheer her on instead of rolling your eyes. Why waste energy on negativity?”
In summary, let’s lift each other up instead of tearing one another down. Celebrate our differences, embrace our bodies, and focus on what truly matters. And if you’re interested in learning about home insemination, check out this informative post on intracervical insemination, or explore Cryobaby’s home insemination kit for reliable resources. For further guidance on pregnancy week by week, visit March of Dimes.