Flat: Living Small in Large America

Building confidence and thicker skin for the small-busted

[smallbusted]

The mainstream hype will say that bigger is right. But these essays by a flat-chested gal will tell you otherwise. ;-)

I remember the many times I was laughed at for having “no boobs.” Honestly, I didn’t even know how to react to that. I’d laugh with my bullies in agreement, as if I did deserve it. As if it were my fault that I didn’t grow a bigger bust – as if that were something to be ashamed of at all! Society makes you believe that you’re lesser of a woman if you have a small bust, and for years, I believed it.

I was so close to saving money for breast implants in order to fix my “abnormality” and seem “more appealing.” What?! I spent too much money on the Wonder Bra, push-up bras, and silicone pads. I was about to make the mistake of my life. Thankfully, I grew up…mentally. And I read a lot of blogs of support, like this one, that played a key in helping me to build confidence.

So for those who think that getting a “boob job” is the answer, I wrote this. You’re only pleasing everyone else (especially men), not yourself, when you enlarge your breasts to “lift your confidence.” You don’t need a large cleavage as much as you think you do. I got so over it, I couldn’t care less. I accepted myself as I am and, in fact, LOVE my body.

This is a short eBook about the path I took to boost my self-esteem, in spite of society’s messed-up beauty standards, and how you, too, can learn to love your boobies. Check it out, it will at least lift you up. :)

(Ask me for other formats!)

On iBooks: FLAT: LIVING SMALL IN LARGE AMERICA

[smallbusted]

You might trip and fall on the same old rock, and repeat and go back, but let there be not too much regret in every step you take. In the end, mistakes pave the way for a wiser today.

SayEtcetera - https://www.instagram.com/p/CTcnL8Ynnct/

[megairea]

I’m all light, a living scar.

Lucian Blaga, from Spell (tr. by Andrei Condrescu)

[smallbusted]

When they say you need a C cup for the role, and you’re an A: “Excuse me, perhaps we can try this again?”

Check out my book: ‘Flat: Living SMALL in LARGE America’, where I tell you how it really be like that! But more importantly, my message of reassurance. That can never go around too many times. ✨

[smallbusted]

Is this thing on?

Are you still with me, Tumblrers? Just checking. :) What should we talk about? Have a nice day!

[smallbusted]

(via Eat a Sandwich! — and Other Commands)

If I knew then what I know now about my body, I would’ve probably told [her] that I had eaten enough sandwiches, but would gladly accept another one if she bought it for me. You have to build thick skin and a sense of humor to survive in today’s societies.

[smallbusted]

Feminism has never been about getting a job for one woman. It's about making life more fair for women everywhere. It's not about a piece of the existing pie; there are too many of us for that. It's about baking a new pie.

Gloria Steinem

It’s always been about equal opportunities for ALL.

[smallbusted]

(via An Ordinary Body in Miami)

What I’d say to any girls living in places like Miami is: it is up to you. Resist the urge to blend in because society says you should. Standing out is a lot more fun, anyway—trust me on this.

[smallbusted]

Keep your Cristal and your pistol I'd rather have a pretty piece is crystal. Don't need your silicone, I prefer my own, What god gave me is just fine.

✌ Love me some India Arie!

[smallbusted]

Happy International Women's Day, ma ladies! ✊ Gahh, I love being a woman and promoting women empowerment, and I celebrate women every day I can. I salute all the fighters, and I know quite a few, and those who've paved the way for the younger generations. As someone once said, Here's to strong women; may we know them, may we BE them, may we RAISE them. ❤ #womensday #diadelamujer #womenempowerment #girlpower

[glamour]

You were born to be real, not to be perfect.

(via glamour)

[smallbusted]

I think the first real change in women’s body image came when JLo turned it butt-style. That was the first time that having a large-scale situation in the back was part of mainstream American beauty. Girls wanted butts now. Men were free to admit that they had always enjoyed them. And then, what felt like moments later, boom—Beyoncé brought the leg meat. A back porch and thick muscular legs were now widely admired. And from that day forward, women embraced their diversity and realized that all shapes and sizes are beautiful. Ah ha ha. No. I’m totally messing with you. All Beyonce and JLo have done is add to the laundry list of attributes women must have to qualify as beautiful. Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits.

Tina Fey, Bossypants

[smallbusted]

When your cleavage is so small it can’t hold your shirt up, but you say, f**k it, I’m still wearing the darn shirt! Like a boss.

[smallbusted]

The mainstream hype will say that bigger is right. But these essays by a flat-chested gal will tell you otherwise. ;-)

I remember the many times I was laughed at for having “no boobs.” Honestly, I didn’t even know how to react to that. I’d laugh with my bullies in agreement, as if I did deserve it. As if it were my fault that I didn’t grow a bigger bust -- as if that were something to be ashamed of at all! Society makes you believe that you’re lesser of a woman if you have a small bust, and for years, I believed it.

I was so close to saving money for breast implants in order to fix my “abnormality” and seem “more appealing.” What?! I spent too much money on the Wonder Bra, push-up bras, and silicone pads. I was about to make the mistake of my life. Thankfully, I grew up...mentally. And I read a lot of blogs of support, like this one, that played a key in helping me to build confidence.

So for those who think that getting a “boob job” is the answer, I wrote this. You’re only pleasing everyone else (especially men), not yourself, when you enlarge your breasts to “lift your confidence.” You don’t need a large cleavage as much as you think you do. I got so over it, I couldn’t care less. I accepted myself as I am and, in fact, LOVE my body.

This is a short eBook about the path I took to boost my self-esteem, in spite of society’s messed-up beauty standards, and how you, too, can learn to love your boobies. Check it out, it will at least lift you up. :)

(Ask me for other formats!)

On iBooks: FLAT: LIVING SMALL IN LARGE AMERICA

[better-drawn]

[colleenclarkart]

better-drawn:

HOLY COW!!! Thank you SO much for supporting my comic and supporting Better, Drawn everyone!! I’ve heard a few complaints about this comic being a little hard to read in this format, so check out a larger version *here*. You all have been so supportive. I need to make MORE COMICS!

Keep reading

[smallbusted]

Absolutely LOVED this article by Beauty Redefined, calling Victoria’s Secret on their “empowering” bullshit. We need campaigns like VS to stop spreading such unhealthy message to our younger generation. Be in control of your body and soul! Here’s an excerpt:

This brand begs us to believe, and totally relies on us believing, that our power comes from enhancing, accessorizing, fixing, and flaunting our bodies. It relies on us believing beautiful and “sexy” look ONE very specific way — very thin, tall, young, and wrinkle- and cellulite-free — and that we must achieve those ideals by any means necessary in order to be “sexy, bold, and powerful.” If we believe we are empowered (and made desirable, happy, and healthy) by perfecting the looks of our bodies above all else, we are giving our power to an industry that profits immensely at the expense of our self-worth. What you’ll see from VS is not empowerment, but about asking girls and women to give away their power by doing one of two things in order to feel a fake and fleeting form of “power:” 1) fixing it, or 2) flaunting it. Both leave us at the harmful and stifling state of self-objectification* that hinders female progress,  health, and happiness in every possible way.

Read full article: http://www.beautyredefined.net/victorias-secret-war-on-women/

[glamour]

Women are strong. We can do it all. But not always at the same time.

Diane von Furstenberg (via glamour)