I’ve always enjoyed utilizing the latest photo enhancement tools. For my personal images, I appreciate adding filters and effects like blurring. However, it’s essential to remember that the aim of photo editing is to enhance a picture, not erase the features you cherish about yourself.
While exploring the internet for a new desktop photo editing application, I experimented with several options. As someone who is not a professional photographer, I was unaware of the extensive features many editing tools offer. To my surprise, I discovered a specific option for altering weight in a photo. Yes, you heard that right—there was a weight loss feature. At first, I thought, “This can’t be real!” Surely, it would take magic to achieve such a transformation, right? Until that moment, I never considered using a tool like this.
Despite having a strong sense of self-esteem, the existence of this feature brought some of my insecurities back to the forefront, especially after having children. I recalled how my body looked before the journey of motherhood.
I uploaded a photo meant for a professional page and adjusted the weight slider by 50%. Instantly, my face and body appeared slimmer. I watched my cheeks and midsection morph back to the figure I recognized before kids. The temptation to keep those edits was strong.
In reality, I put a lot of effort into maintaining breastfeeding and working out, yet I still struggle to shape my body to my ideal vision. With this tool, it was astonishingly easy to alter my appearance. With just a few clicks, I was back to my supposed “ideal” weight. For a moment, I felt I looked more beautiful as a digitally slimmed version of myself than I do in reality.
As luck would have it, my partner walked in at that moment. I shared the editing tool’s function with him, exclaiming, “Look how skinny I look!”
His response was, “So… you’re photoshopping yourself? Why?”
His genuine confusion made me realize how ridiculous it was to manipulate my weight in a photo. Instead of admiration, I saw a hint of sadness on his face. That reaction jolted me back to reality.
I quickly responded, “I look skinnier, but that’s not the real me. Maybe I shouldn’t use it… yeah, definitely not.”
“You’re already beautiful,” he reassured me.
While his affection helped me grasp the absurdity of altering my appearance, I wish that realization had originated from my own self-perception. It’s puzzling how easily I was drawn to a digital weight loss feature, yearning to return to my pre-baby self. But the truth is, I wouldn’t trade this body for anything. It has played sports, swum in oceans, created music, nurtured and birthed children. This body has explored, pushed boundaries, and literally climbed mountains. Each scar, imperfection, and curve tells my unique story.
Reflecting on that moment, it seems silly that a Photoshop tool almost compromised my self-beliefs. While having an ideal appearance is tempting, I now understand that every stage of my life represents my “ideal.” Right now, my body looks different than it did two years ago, and I’ve been nourishing my children through it. That’s not worse; it’s simply different.
In reality, aspiring to be “skinny” is not a healthy goal. Striving for wellness is essential—eating right and exercising benefits everyone, but healthy bodies vary widely and aren’t solely defined by being “skinny.” Every individual has their own narrative, and every body is beautiful in its own way. Scars, wrinkles, and softness should be celebrated for the journeys they represent. As Brandi Carlile poignantly sings in “The Story”:
“All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I’ve been
And how I got to where I am.”
It disheartens me that no photo feels secure anymore; there’s always the temptation to alter it, to present an image that isn’t authentic. I’ve read stories of celebrities whose images were modified without their consent, and I admire them for speaking out against such practices. I nearly fell into the same trap myself, so I understand how easy it can be to accept these alterations. It takes bravery to show up as your true self.
My hope is for a world without rigid beauty standards where beauty is defined uniquely by each individual. The marks on your body are beautiful; they map your life journey, showcasing where you’ve been and where you are now. They are part of you and your narrative—something to be proud of.
When faced with the choice to hide behind a facade or embrace the authentic you, choose authenticity. The real you is far more captivating and beautiful than any software or filter can create.
For more insights on personal journeys and fertility, you may find valuable information in our other posts on intracervicalinsemination.com, or check out Make a Mom for expert advice. Additionally, if you’re exploring options in this realm, Cleveland Clinic’s guide is an excellent resource for understanding pregnancy and home insemination.