Body-positivity advocate Iskra Lawrence is urging her followers to embrace their uniqueness after revealing she used to suffer from body dysmorphia and an eating disorder.
On a recent unedited Instagram post of herself in a bikini, the plus-size model shared some advice for anyone who's ever thought “If I looked like her all my problems would go away.”
According to the 28-year-old, she recently saw the comment on one of her photos, which prompted her to share her own experiences feeling the same way - and the unhealthy outcome.
“Maybe it was said in jest but thoughts turn into consciousness, and in turn can start to affect our mindset, outlook, and how we view ourselves,” she wrote, continuing: “Which in turn will eventually be your reality - I used to think like that.”
For Lawrence, her own previous desire to look like photoshopped and “slimmer models” stemmed from a belief that doing so would mean she would “also have a more successful career, love life, I’d be happier and life would be better.”
However, the model realised that the unrealistic expectations for herself caused more harm than good - and resulted in her becoming even more dissatisfied with her own body.
Now, having recovered from body dysmorphia and finding her confidence, Lawrence wants others to remember that “you can never be someone else, but no one can ever be you either.”
“And that makes you one of a kind, so never forget you are meant to be you,” the model wrote, before encouraging her more than four million followers to “let your unique self shine and radiate love, confidence and enoughness.”
The inspirational message, which she hashtagged #thunderthighs, has resonated with hundreds of people on Instagram, who’ve thanked Lawrence for the reminder.
“This is so beautiful, please keep doing this,” one woman wrote.
