October 19, 2024
By: Mariam Eladawy
"not enough" just two words, yet they carry the weight of a thousand insecurities. I'm sure we've all felt this at least once in our life. Since we live in a world obsessed with appearances, where every day brings fresh doses of cruelty in the form of body shaming, whether it’s being told you’re too skinny or too chubby, too tall or too short, the message is crystal clear:
"you’re never enough."
But it's time to shatter these ridiculous labels and celebrate our stunning diversity instead of letting petty insults drag us down!
The pain of labels
Imagine stepping out in that gorgeous short dress you just bought, feeling beautiful, only to hear someone say, “you should’ve gotten a longer dress to hide those chicken legs," or think about the chubby girl who hears “fat” tossed at her like a weapon, each comment weighing down her heart and making it harder to stand tall. Body shaming isn’t just hurtful; it’s a silent thief of our mental health. Each label chips away at our self-worth, leaving us feeling like we’re simply not enough.
The unseen struggles
Let’s be real; even the most confident person you know has their own hidden insecurities. That tall girl you envy? She wishes she could trade places with you to escape the laughter that follows her. The girl with the small chest? She’s considering surgery to look like you, while you’re longing to look like her, and that big guy everyone admires? He’s been shamed his whole life for being “too big.”
We all think the grass is greener on the other side, but the truth is, we’re all battling our own demons.
Unique features, Unique pain
We all struggle with our insecurities and we feel like it’s all what people can see and it’s all we’ll be known for. Some of us try to hide them, some try to live with them, but at the end of the day, trust me everyone is focusing on their own insecurities and can hardly see yours.
I know that every time someone points out your “red face” or says you “always look tired,” or being called a “nerd” just because you’re passionate about something, it chips away at your self-esteem, that you start to feel like you owe the world an apology for simply existing in your skin.
But guess what? These features you're so insecure about are what makes you unique!
The weight of judgment
In a world that shouts at us to look, act and even think a certain way, sometimes we forget what we even look like anymore.
Imagine not being able to smile cause every time you do someone laughs and calls you rabbit teeth.
Or screaming that “eat more or eat less, from family and friends doesn't help, that health comes in all shapes and sizes, that being healthy doesn’t mean conforming to a specific size; it’s different for everyone."
But no one listens and no one cares.
You shouldn’t hide the unique individual you truly are – let's be too busy living an unapologetic life!
Finding strength in vulnerability
Instead of celebrating our differences, society teaches us to be ashamed of them. We’re taught since we're born to change who we are to fit an impossible ideal, and it’s not just frustrating, it’s heartbreaking. Every mean comment becomes part of our inner dialogue, drowning out the voices that tell us we’re beautiful just the way we are.
It’s time to reclaim our narratives. Let’s embrace “the rabbit teeth," “the red face,” the “too long” and the “too short.” Let’s wear our scars like badges of honor.
Instead of judging one another, let’s unite and celebrate our differences. your uniqueness is your strength, not a flaw.
ENOUGH
Enough with the bullying.
Enough with the judgment.
Enough with the pressure.
Enough with the fake standards.
Enough with the unrealistic expectations.
Let us be, ENOUGH!
After all, being unapologetically you is the most powerful thing you can be.
Our “NOT ENOUGH” hoodie is for everyone who has ever been labeled and felt less than enough.
It’s unisex because body shaming knows no gender! So, wear it proudly because we’re all more than enough, just as we are!