Being body positive isn't just about feeling proud of our thick thighs, round bellies, jiggly arms, and big boobs. It means that we should be proud of our body no matter how big or how small.
We live in a world that has a cookie-cutter idea of how women's bodies should look. But like all great things in life, we come in different shapes and sizes. The ideal body is constantly changing, but having bigger boobs has always been a top "requirement."
However, some women have smaller breast and have learned to love them. So, if you are having a hard time being a part of the itty-bitty committee, here are nine women that will inspire you to love your little lady lumps.
Thanks to the media's limited representation of plus-size bodies, many often link being plus-size with bigger breasts and a full, hour-glass shape. Plus-size model Jennifer Barreto-Leyva knows firsthand that this isn't always the case.
I am the uncommon fat girl, meaning small breasts and huge hips. I have no idea if it has anything to do with being a Latina or not. Whatever it is, I love my body shape and with all honesty I don't see myself with big boobs.
For me it is amazing to have a small chest and to be able to wear and do whatever I like. I know men prefer women with different body shapes than mine, but hey, my body is unique and, as the blessing it is, I cherish it and love every inch of it.
Mel Stanger says she's always had small breasts and wouldn't have it any other way.
I didn't actually need to wear a bra at all until eighth grade because I was so flat-chested. I don't remember the 'progression' of their growth, but all of a sudden it seemed like overnight I had breasts — albeit small ones.
These days they're probably a large A/small B cup, but I love that they're small: They don't bounce around painfully when I work out, I can still go without a bra sometimes, and I think I get catcalled less by creepy dudes because of it. Once in a while I'll wish they were bigger (I have literally zero cleavage), but would I actually want to change them? Never.
Johanna Ferreira knows that time and a little self-love is the only thing you need to learn to accept your body.
I wear a size 34B and used to be really self-conscious about having small boobs in my teens. Once I hit my 20s I not only learned to embrace them but I started to love them. I can wear open-back dresses without having to worry about wearing a bra — it’s the best!
"Today, after two kids and seeing how they have evolved, how they fed my kids and just how incredible they are, I am more than happy with my B cups."
A mother of two, Yulianna Gomez, grew to love her breasts after seeing the power and life they was giving — literally:
I remember when I was going through puberty, I waited excitedly for two things: to grow taller than my mom (I never did), and to get a bigger bra size (I never did that either!). As a teen, I was a little ashamed of my smaller breasts and would always look for padded bras and ways to make them seem a little bigger. I never stuffed socks or any of that, but I was THIS CLOSE to it! Today after two kids and seeing how they have evolved, how they fed my kids and just how incredible they are, I am more than happy with my B cups. At least the sag will be way slower to come!
Marissa Pina learned to accept the advantages of having smaller boobs after it helped her fashion choices.
Having small boobs my whole life was just one of the many things I was super self-conscious about growing up. I noticed girls in my class wearing lower-cut shirts and everyone talking about their cleavage and I never had that. It wasn’t until college that I realized my small boobs were awesome and freeing. I felt amazing knowing that I could comfortably rock a backless top without a bra whereas a lot of my friends who had bigger boobs couldn’t do that. I’m proud of my body and my smaller boobs are just one of the things I became happy with as I learned to accept myself for who I am.
Emily Shugerman defied the odds in her family. Having relatives with bigger breasts doesn't always mean you'll have them too, and that's OK.
Every woman in my family has huge boobs. My mom, my sister, even my grandmother. They used to call me the 'boobless wonder,' because my double-As defied all genetic probability.
I thought for a long time that I would never feel sexy without any kind of cleavage. I even considered the idea of getting a boob job. Now, I love my small boobs, and the fact that I can wear tiny little bralettes — or no bra at all! I wouldn’t change them for a second.
Rhisa Marie Parera ignores what the body shamers would say and is unapologetic about her body.
I was self-conscious for a long time about my boobs. I remember a girl who I used to perform with on a dance team who told me that a guy would never like me because of my small boobs. Years later I realized I got no complaints! I learned to love my itty bitties. This is me. Take it or leave it.
Sugey Palomares had to deal with bullies due to her smaller breasts. Being surrounded by people who reminded her that her beauty goes beyond the size of a bra cup made her appreciate her body.
Growing up, I always wanted bigger boobs. I remember stuffing my training bra in elementary school. I still remember getting picked on by the curvier girls for 'looking like a boy.' It takes years to undo the damage of schoolyard bullying. I was lucky enough to have a lot of strong women in my life who placed a strong value on qualities beyond physical beauty.
And right when I thought I had mastered the self-love thing, another stupid comment knocked my self-esteem to the ground. I remember in high school, I wore a backless gown to my prom. I was serving up some major J.Lo from Brooklyn that night. I went to the bathroom to touch-up before a group photo and had a catty peer comment on my 'flat' boobs. 'Why didn't you wear a bra?' she asked with disapproval. Thankfully, my best friend was there to put her in her place and then told me I was flawless. That moment stayed with me for years. Looking back, I wish I would've told her off. I wish I wouldn't have felt uncomfortable in my own skin after. I look back at photos and I think, 'Wow, I looked pretty damn good back then.'
Once I hit my 30s, I vowed to accept my body as is. No more stuffing my bra, no more holding on to those bully comments. My breasts are beautiful, healthy, and nurtured my son for a short period once he was born. Confidence is a choice, as Gina Rodriguez has said. I choose to silence the haters and love my boobs and my body through every stage in my life.
This photo was taken during my honeymoon in Anguilla. While my husband swam, I took selfies because I felt really happy and beautiful on this day. I think my inner peace shines through — and my boobs look pretty damn good, too.
