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This model posted a selfie with unshaven armpits and stomach rolls to prove a very important point

This model posted a selfie with unshaven armpits and stomach rolls to prove a very important point
This model posted a selfie with unshaven armpits and stomach rolls to prove a very important point

We live in a society that holds women to especially high beauty standards. This is a fact that British model Emily Bador knows all too well. The 20-year-old has always been outspoken about body image issues, her journey to accepting her own figure, and the insecurities that come along with being a model. She recently posted a picture of herself lounging around in lingerie, her stomach bare and her armpits unshaved.

“You don’t owe it to anyone to be perfect. You are not less worthy because you don’t have a flat stomach,” she writes. “You are not less valid because you don’t shave your armpits. You are not less beautiful because of your scars, stretch marks, eczema, acne.” Amen, sister.

Of course, when we look at Emily we can’t stop thinking about how beautiful she is. Look at those freckles. She’s stunning. But that’s just it — no matter how many people think a person is beautiful, that individual will struggle with their own insecurities — just like all of us. Emily just happens to be the kind of person who speaks openly about hers.

In December of last year, she posted a picture of herself in 2015 alongside a current selfie. Back in 2015 she was much thinner than what she is now, and she says even though she was “size 4/6” she still thought she was “fat.” Thanks unrealistic body expectations, society!

i'm gonna be honest, the industry needs to change. man oh man i'm tired of it. on the left is july 2015, my lowest weight. i can't tell you how much i weighed but i can tell you i was size 4/6 and my waist only measured 23 inches. i can also tell you i thought i was fat. i've always had a few body image issues but since becoming a model, they've skyrocketed. at work, i've always felt like i didn't belong, i've always been short, and mixed race. i'd been modelling for just over a year, and going to castings made me feel super insecure. every time i didn't get a call back from my casting i'd start to wonder why. was i too fat? during 2015, i became obsessive with my measurements and clothes sizes. i exercised daily and i would never even look at any carbs let alone eat them. it started making me physically sick, dizzy, exhausted, etc. i ended up getting to a point where i'd have daily panic attacks about getting dressed, and couldn't even leave my bed in fear of catching my reflection in the mirror. at this time, i also started getting the most work i've ever had and travelling all over world. which, instilled in me "the thinner i am, the more work i'm gonna get". my hatred for myself became so overwhelming i knew something had to change, i took some time out and finally got working on loving myself. and today, for the first time in a long time, i felt good about myself this morning. i struggle with getting dressed sometimes, catching my reflection can occasionally hurt still and i have panic attacks now and again but i am getting there. sometimes i forget that self love is a journey. we have to call on this system to change. we need diversity. all bodies, differently abled, shaped, coloured, sized, gendered and aged. diversity is so important. representation is so important. i'm sick and tired of seeing amazing, talented, beautiful women hate themselves because they don't look like that VS model or whatever. too many young women suffer from mental health issues which stem from the pressure of today's media. ✨you are more than your appearance, you are strong and resilient and you are beautiful no matter what and i really hope you remember that✨

A post shared by e m i l y bador (@darth_bador) on Dec 10, 2016 at 11:53am PST

“I’ve always had a few body image issues but since becoming a model, they’ve skyrocketed,” she writes. Emily also shared what it’s been like as a biracial woman in the industry. She’s half black half Malaysian, and she admits she’s always had trouble feeling like she truly belongs.

“we have to call on this system to change. we need diversity. all bodies, differently abled, shaped, coloured, sized, gendered and aged. diversity is so important,” Emily writes.

Emily also openly speaks about the anxiety she wrestles with as a result of her busy job. She insists a lot of women are having trouble getting their mental health on track because of “the pressure of today’s media.” She couldn’t be more spot on.

Ten minutes ago, I wasn't gonna post this. Ten minutes ago, I look at this and thought "my thighs look fat in this". Ten minutes ago, I almost didn't even check the comments section for fear of some internet troll ridiculing my my body. ✨ Cos it's hard learning to love yourself, it's fucking hard. And I still slip up, like, a lot. ✨ And we live in a world where it's almost impossible to escape the ridiculous traditional beauty standards the fashion industry think are 'correct'. Whether you're in it directly or not, it's hard not to be affected. But you've gotta stay strong. You've gotta remember you're perfect as you are. It's never worth forcing yourself to be something you're not. It's not worth making yourself sick just to look like the girls in the adverts (even if you're meant to be 'one of the girls in the adverts'). ✨ I did check the comments by the way. And it was worth it. "I love that you're using a regular model, someone who I can personally relate to. love the outfit too" (thank you @danidoce). Some times, I slip up, and I ridicule myself and my journey to self love isn't always perfect. But this one comment was a huge reminder that actually, there's nothing wrong with me, my thighs aren't fat, and I am as valid and as worthy as any other girl on New Looks instagram, as valid and as worthy as anyone. And I'm posting this photo as a reminder of that. It's not me who needs to change, it's the industry. And I hope you all remember that too✨❤️

A post shared by e m i l y bador (@darth_bador) on Jan 16, 2017 at 5:03am PST

In this photo, Emily writes in the caption that she almost didn’t post it to her Instagram because she was afraid her thighs looked too big. But she’s learning to love herself more and more every day, and she encourages all her fans to do the same. Excuse us while we give ourselves a really big hug.