Kristen Bateman’s “Foundation is Dead” causes me mixed feelings. On the one hand, strong women coming out and accepting their imperfections is so refreshing to me. On the other hand, Bateman’s article seems to be projecting that body-image issues are non-existent in this era.
I have acne. Since my journey to body-positivity began, I’ve begun to come to terms with it. Still, I have issues with the way I see myself.
I despise my blemishes. I soak them in chemicals and stab at them aggressively, and yet, they persist. Even a reminder of my pimples leaves me cowering in a corner in shame. Being a natural bodily and hormonal issue, my response may seem confusing to the outsider. But the stigma connected to acne has caused insecurities among much of the population.
I hate my body. My face isn’t quite gaunt enough. My neck and waist have lingering rolls. I hide my muffin top under high-rise pants. I abhor my thick thighs and wide forearms. I try to starve myself, but continue to gorge myself on junk out of surrender. It’s hard to explain my self-deprecating feelings to my 90-pound friends.
I don’t know when my self-hate will end. What I do know, however, is that self-content takes time and discipline to reach. Not everyone is able to accept themselves after accepting the accessibility and ease of a task, like forgoing effort of applying foundation.
I’m still working to overcome my body issues. But I can accept knowing that people out there are relinquishing the masks they hide behind.