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My Body Is Not Up for Discussion, Got It?
There I was, juggling plastic bags stuffed with sandwiches, apple slices, and juice boxes, all while wrestling with my bag’s zipper to retrieve my wallet. My daughter danced around me, tugging at the flowing fabric of my dress each time she completed a circuit. Meanwhile, my husband was trying to keep our energetic preschooler from launching an all-out assault on his hat. I sent them off to the car to buckle in for our beach outing, finally managing to pry my credit card loose. As I made eye contact with the cashier, she hit me with it: “More kids on the way, huh?”
I froze, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over me, like a bubbling pot of stomach acid. I tightened my grip on the bags and replied, “Excuse me?”
“You’re pregnant, right?” she assumed.
My side-eye must have conveyed the message that, nope, I was not expecting. She stumbled through a series of “I’m sorry”s while I desperately stuffed unnecessary condiments and straws into my bag to mask my embarrassment. Flustered and worried I was holding up the line, all I managed to say was, “I’m sorry you said that too.”
In my hasty retreat, I forgot napkins. I hopped into the front seat and stared blankly at the dashboard. After buckling up, I leaned over to my husband and whispered in his ear what had just transpired.
Was it my dress? I had just bought it and loved how it flowed.
Was it my still slightly rounded belly that once housed my little ones?
Or maybe the cashier just didn’t grasp the concept of appropriate small talk?
I rolled down the window, letting the warm, sun-drenched breeze rush through the car. I glanced back at my kids, blissfully munching on their lunches and ready for the beach. It would have been easy to spiral into self-doubt, ruminating over my body, counting my workouts, or contemplating a crash diet. Instead, I chose the harder path: to embrace positivity about my body and move on with my day.
Your inappropriate comments won’t ruin my time with my family.
Once we reached the beach, I dove into playtime with my kids; we constructed an epic moat and sandcastle and splashed in the waves. At one point, a woman approached me, raving about my swimsuit and asking where I got it. So here I am—both uplifted and a little wounded, but determined to keep moving forward. In the past, a comment like that would have sent me spiraling into self-loathing, but today, I chose to rise above it.
Let’s be clear: talking about my body as small talk is not okay.
Instead of commenting on my appearance, why not ask me about my kids, what I’m currently reading, or my dream vacation? Conversations about my body should not be casual chit-chat. Body acceptance is a tough journey; I don’t need your unsolicited remarks complicating it.
The road to self-love is long and winding. Sure, putting on a swimsuit is a huge step, but it’s just the beginning. There will be more challenges—hurtful comments and tough decisions about how to respond. You can read more about this journey at Women’s Health, an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Taking those steps toward body confidence can sometimes feel daunting, but remember, it’s about more than just the swimsuit. It’s about embracing who you are and moving forward, no matter what others say. For more support on this journey, check out this blog post that dives deeper into the topic. And if you’re looking for resources on home insemination, Make a Mom provides valuable information.
In summary, it’s essential to respect personal boundaries when it comes to discussions about bodies. Instead of making comments that might hurt, let’s focus on more meaningful conversations.