urélia Abisur thank you for supporting our Kickstarter Campaign.
1. How have you struggled in the past to appreciate or love your body and how have you overcome that struggle?
While in my pre-teen years, I started noticing that my hips and bum were bigger than those of girls my age and even older. From that moment on, it has been one of my biggest insecurities. This lead me to loathe summertime. I always wore cardigan tied at my hips during that time of the year.
Growing older, traveling and sports – especially lifting weights and free diving – helped me look at my body from a different angle. One of appreciation. It was full of achievements and capabilities – capabilities that would enable me to stay underwater for minutes for instance.
I understood that I wasn't just my body but rather a collection of qualities and passions.
2. What do you love most about your body?
What I love the most about my body are the things it enables me to experience: hugging the ones I love, free diving, smelling, touching, laughing, travelling, eating...
It may not be an anatomically “perfect” body in the eyes of some (those who are blinded by some stereotypical beauty standards implemented by who the hell knows), but it is beautiful, powerful, and healthy in its own way. I love it and I am grateful for that.
3. What message do you have for other women who struggle to appreciate and love their bodies?
Don't be so hard on yourself. Don't compare yourself to others. Don't wish you had someone else's physical appearance when your body allows you to live and experience so much.
Loving your body is an up and down journey. Some days you will have the hardest time finding things you love about yourself, others you will find plenty. Hold on to these latter.
And please remember that you are not just your body or just a number on the scale. In the end what's truly important is your health, your passions, qualities, and how you treat others.
4. Why do you support SMV?
SMV lets every girl shine the way she is. In a society where we want everyone to fit in a predefined mold, this is so refreshing, inspiring, and powerful.
Thanks for your support, Aurélia! We love you! --- The SMV Team
