Body Positivity Includes Your Scars

Body positivity is at the forefront of our collective conscience right now - as it should be. This is a movement that everyone should be talking about because body positivity includes more than just your weight, it also includes your scars.

The body positivity movement

Body positivity means a lot of different things depending on who you ask. It has roots in the late 1960s when it focused on how people look at those who are overweight. Throughout the years, it has had its resurgences and remains a popular topic today. While many people think it is based on weight, that's not all being body-conscious and body-positive is. Instead, it encompasses loving yourself, feeling confident, and accepting all your flaws. Even John Legend wrote about it in his chart-topping hit, All of Me:

'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections

What some people may not consider is that scars are a part of the body positivity movement too. Your body includes all of you - scars, imperfections, and all.

Body positivity and scars

Personally, I love my skin cancer scar. It's who I am. It shows that I went through something and came out the same person, with a little extra. But not everyone feels that way, and that's understandable. Yet, there are those who want to be accepted for their scars and may feel that even though body positivity is in people's thoughts, scars aren't mentioned.

We're not alone

But let's face it, we all have scars. It doesn't matter if you cut your finger while slicing carrots, or you had major surgery - scars are a part of life. And people should accept that with others.

My scars bother others more than me

When I shared my first photos of my scar from Mohs surgery, people were aghast. I thought my scar looked pretty formidable, but people always act horrified. I think it bothers them more than me. That's okay too. It always makes me chuckle. But you know what else it does? It makes me feel stronger. If they're horrified, it means that I went through something and came out on top.

Celebrities...they're just like us

There are plenty of celebrities with scars too. Look at Padma Lakshmi, Joaquin Phoenix, or Tina Fey. Some choose to conceal theirs, while others embrace decide to display their scars. I love to embrace mine, but it's okay if you don't.

There's room to appreciate our scars

All bodies should be appreciated, no matter what they look like. We've all heard "she's too fat", or "he's too skinny", and that's just the start of things people say. But we're all unique, and that's what makes us individuals. It's important to love the skin you're in. Even the most perfect model or celebrity may have a scar. It's important to accept who you are, scars and all.

You've come through to the other side with a scar to prove it

Remember, if your scars are from skin cancer or skin cancer surgery, you survived it. And that scar is a badge of honor. Now, if you feel better hiding it, that's fine too. As long as you're comfortable in your own skin, that's what counts.

How do you cope with your skin cancer scars?