Saturday, January 7, 2017

7/365 appreciation memento: f21+

Today, I went shopping with my sisters and non-chalantly walked into Forever 21.  Every time I walk in there, I can't stop appreciating the fact that there is a whole side dedicated to plus size women.  It's surprising, but keeps my mind at ease.

 I have realized, that during these past years and purchasing clothes at Forever 21, I have owned every single clothing material in almost every size.  Within this lifetime I have managed to gain weight where I now consider myself "plus size".  Now plus size, a lot of stores I used to shop at (ei. H&M) I can never fit there clothes.  They use to fit me - but now they sadly don't.  And that is the anxiety about shopping.  I hate that feeling.
via google.com
"So what Marianne? LOSE WEIGHT!"  Yeah, of course I want to lose weight, but trying to manage many other priorities - I totally forget to give myself the care and love my body really needs.  Let's just say, I let my education career soar, while my health suffered.  I want to change that (and I will), but I'm trying to train myself and change my outlook of self love for how I look now.  I have this stigma of how I am supposed to look, based on social media and etc.  But, like the expansion of Forever 21's plus size section - beauty in any size or shape is not going unseen. And that is what beauty truly is.

 If you can not see beauty within in yourself, you will continuously beat yourself up for letting yourself go.  I would know, because even as I am typing this I already know I will go to my old habits and be my worst criticizer.  I never compliment the way I look because I know I can do better.  But, these plus size sections help me subside those thoughts.  They help me understand that I am beautiful.  That I am not amounted to a selection that I won't look good in.  They give me the pleasure I deserve, even at a size I personally don't like.  But I have to embrace what I got for now and hope for better.  No matter how much it will take me to accept it - I am beautiful, on the inside and outside.

 Thank you Forever 21,  for embracing a new stigma of beauty.  You may not be the only store doing this, but as an avid customer - I appreciate your clothing much more than I have ever before.

 Love,
Mari J Leano
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2 comments:

  1. GeraldJanuary 9, 2017 at 12:14 AM

    Darn, great short article Marianne! I too find it hard to focus on myself and my health while trying to balance other priorities in life.

    I've read and listened that having a buddy or witness to hold you accountable for things such as working out is one way to ensure that you reach the goals you set for yourself. But at this point in my or your life, finding someone that fits our already double booked schedules is quite difficult. That is why I send my mana and best wishes to you to keep up all the good work. Either or, we will always remain and stay beautiful to ourselves no matter what the third parties (i.e. social media, haters) say!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 9, 2017 at 5:59 PM

    Thank you gerald! You as well, with school & the addition of your new blog!

    ReplyDelete

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