A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes it’s the caption that speaks directly to you.
Kenzie Brenna is an actress recovering from eating and body dysmorphic disorders who regularly preaches self-love to her 151,000 Instagram followers. At first glance, the photo she posted of her stomach last week might look like many others on her page. Her thought process, however, will resonate with anyone who’s struggled to find their confidence and maintain a positive body image.
The image shows what Brenna calls her “least favorite” body part ― the stretch marks on her stomach ― and her caption details the many thoughts she wrestles about them throughout a given day. They range from “they actually look kinda cool” to “you’d probably be more comfortable without them,” ultimately ending with the accurate conclusion that Brenna is perfect just the way she is, because “perfect isn’t a feeling.”
“They’re not usually this noticeable.”
“If you only had the money to get rid on them.”
“They actually look kinda cool. Sorta like a the beginning of a story.”
“More like the beginning of a LONG story.”
“Would I erase my story to not have these?”
“You’d probably be more comfortable without them.”
“Would I truly though?”
“Okay ask yourself the question.”
“I don’t wanna.”
“Just do it.”
“Does this affect the quality of who I am?”
“No.”
“Would it make you a better person if you got rid of these marks?”
“No.”
“Would it make you kinder, more generous and a better lover if you had the money to erase them?”
“No.”
“Then you’re perfect.”
“I don’t feel perfect.”
“That’s cause perfect isn’t a feeling.”
Brenna’s post is a reminder to us all that we don’t always need to feel 100 percent about anything in our lives or with our bodies, but that in time and with practice, appreciation gets a little bit easier.
“I PROMISE if you practice self-love, you will have more loving moments with yourself than you could ever dream of,” she wrote.
We’ll be bookmarking this promptly for our next off day, thank-you-very-much.
