"It is embedded in my culture. It is normalized that anyone can give you their opinion about the way you look. The last 5 years have been difficult for me in terms of my self-esteem. I have had to do a lot of work to be able to see myself in the mirror and put aside the negative thoughts. I started exercising, eating better food, reading books that feed my soul and unfollowed people on social media that would trigger negative self-worth feelings in me. We have removed from our language at home, comments about how others look, or comments that speak negatively of our bodies. It is a work in progress. Even my 13-year-old has dealt with these comments when he was younger. How on earth do you ever tell a growing child that you Love that he looks too "cheeky" or "gordito" (fatty)? I have had to do some work with him too because kids are not born with any preset stereotypes. This has been a lengthy process that has borne some fruit. When Britney asked me to model for a photo shoot for her, I first thought of everything I don't like about myself, and with all that, being in front of a camera. Oh No! I didn't think about it for too long ( otherwise I would have chickened out) and accepted the offer. I spent the whole week stressing about Saturday. Saturday arrived, I quickly picked outfits, aided by my husband and I couldn't eat because I felt that if I ate anything I would end up vomiting.
Britney made me feel amazing, relaxed, comfortable in my body from the moment I arrived. She did my hair, make-up, and she was constantly making nice comments about me and the way she saw me. I honestly felt super exposed but she did an incredible job of making me feel at ease. I felt beautiful in my own skin and Britney, with he amazing talents, was able to catch my essence with her camera. I was definitely a challenge but I'm so thankful to Britney for asking me to do this because I felt so good about myself after all these years avoiding having my picture taken. Someone I follow on social media constantly says; 'You have to love the body you have, while working on the one you want.' No one has the right to be saying what they think of my body. If you're going to give a compliment to build, thats fine, but if your comment is going to make a person who already feels bad feel worse, why say it? Let's try to think about everything that person is, has achieved, has lived, has fought and recognize their value for that, not for the shape of their body. Thank you so so so much Britney!!
