Hi, I’m Violet. I’m 23 and I have…stretch marks. *GASP*

Stretch marks seem to be quite a thing in the world of society’s beauty standards. Photoshop here, a little touch up there and boom! No cellulite, no stretch marks, looking like the women in the magazines. Here’s my question.

Why?

Warning: I may start ranting here so apologies in advance!

I don’t know a single woman or man (of all shapes and sizes) who doesn’t have some manner of stretch marks. Throughout my less than positive perception of my body in my late teens, one thing I was, ironically, never really self conscious about was my stretch marks.

That’s not to say I haven’t been self conscious of them. I have at times. But for the most part, I’ve just not been all that bothered by them.

Mine are mainly where most women’s are. Predominantly on my hips, inner thigh etc. I’ve recently had some new stretch marks appear after I gained and lost a few pounds over the last few months.

Bodies change, they grow, they age and let’s face it: there’s no point trying to fit in to an ideal that’s completely unattainable for everyone including the models on social media and the people in magazines.

Even the people in the magazines don’t look like the people in the magazines.

I couldn’t understand why it was seen as something you needed to hide or be ashamed of. Who on earth made that decision? 😒

I can only speak for myself here when I say this, but all other body insecurities I’ve had aside, when I saw the stretch marks on my hips I felt actually quite proud and happy. It was my body’s way of showing me I had grown in to a woman and learned many lessons along the way (and never stop learning).

I remember having a little insecure blip about them a few months ago and asked my boyfriend what he thought of them. It was one of those “Do you still love me even though I’m x?” moments we’ve all had at some point.

Me: You don’t get put off by them at all?

Boyfriend: No, not at all. I actually think stretch marks on a woman are pretty sexy.

Me: Really?

Boyfriend: Yeah.

Also, with the recent images I’ve seen circulating it’s been lovely to see the positive and supportive comments to those people.

In a world where people are subject to horrific abuse because, “they’re eyebrows are too thin” (I mean come on. Really?) It’s so refreshing to see some positivity on that front from friends, husbands/partners and other bloggers. Seriously, you’re awesome 😘

And to all the mothers out there who are feeling insecure about their bodies let me say this: You brought a life/lives in to the world. Therefore, you are beautiful badass. Don’t let anyone tell you any different.

Whether you’ve had kids or not, you are beautiful badass either way! 😊

Work those tiger stripes, you beauties! 😘

All my love,

Violet xx

*GIF – GIPHY