In the last year alone, we've witnessed more and more body positive fitness bloggers come out on Instagram and make a point of how deluded it can all be. Myriad of these bloggers have even taken to their 'grams to debunk the myths about perfection on social media, proving no one is as "fit" or as "flawless" as they might seem in their photos 24/7. Let's see: there was the lovely Milly Smith who showed us the transformative power of a pair tights, Charlotte of GirlxFit who confessed how easy it is to fake abs in a pic just by flexing, and countless more eye-opening revelations like the aforementioned. We're so on-board for this because it means one thing: girls are slowly but surely turning to self-love and acceptance, instead of feeling the need to hide behind certain filters. The message is clear; this is me, this is the truth, and that's more than OK.
The same proves true for other aspects of our aesthetic, like skin. In a perfect world, we would all have smooth, unblemished complexions and limbs, and skin concerns wouldn't impair people's lives. But sadly, they impact way more than one might think. Eczema is a chronic condition that affects over 30 million Americans alone, yet it still remains stigmatized in mainstream society. Because similar to a "flabby stomach" or "rolls" or "cellulite," it's been deemed a "flaw" by society that we're supposed to cover up and not talk about.
However, some amazing souls are stepping up using their platforms to show that they're proud of their skin conditions — and that no one should have to shield who they really are from the world. (Psh, if someone doesn't like what they see, they can hit the unfollow button.) For instance, British-based fitness blogger Carys Gray of @busybeefitness — who's also a major propionate of self-love and body positivity — took to her 'gram to give her followers a bit of a reality check. Posting two selfies side-by-side, one of the images shows Carys rockin' a full face of makeup, while the other displays her without a drop — and with various eczema patches. In the caption, she opens up about having eczema and how everyone has good days and bad days. "Social media/Instagram show the good days. The good parts of people and their lives and that's ok!!," she writes. " That's what social media is for! ‼️ But here's a reminder that next time you see something on social media that you think is 'goals' that it's not the full story, it's not how that person will look or be alllllll the time! 🙅🏼"
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She adds that she's still struggling to accept herself in the photo with eczema, but that she's learning because she realizes everyone has their own struggles and insecurities, and that's ultimately what makes us individuals. Whatever your insecurity — whether it's your skin, your hair, your body, etc. — it's these kinds of uplifting posts that show how social media can truly be used for good, to lift others up and share experiences to create connection and togetherness. No one likes feeling alone, and Carys just did a very important thing for people with skin conditions by sharing her story. Keep doing you, girl.
Related: Meet 5 Girls Who Are Breaking Down the Stigma of Skin Conditions on Instagram
