7 Ways To Feel Empowered At Every Size & Inspire Those Around You

Once you start to surround yourself with a variety of body shapes and sizes the easier it is to see the beauty in each and every one of them, yourself included. One way to get this all going to to search the internet for blogs and communities that speak to you, specifically tumblr and instagram. Check out empowering body positive hashtags, like #honormycurves, #effyourbeautystandards and #alternativecurves. You can also start following body positive blogs, like Curves Become Her, The Militant Baker or Fat Girl Flow. Although these ladies are all plus size, they are advocates for every body.

Stop beating yourself up. If you ever spoke to your friends how you speak about yourself, you probably wouldn't have very many friends left. Think of what your favourite things are about your friends, I bet it has nothing to do with how they look. Start thinking of yourself as a friend and keep a tally of what makes you awesome as opposed to what you dislike.

Same goes for your friends, if they start picking themselves apart, build them up with all the ways you love them. There are plenty of ways to bring body positivity and confidence to yourself and your friends.

I know, this one can be scary. But I live in camp "fake it til you make it" and nothing helps you fake it better than wearing something you love, but feel a little nervous in. For me, it was crop tops, but there are so many fashion rules that need to be thrown out the window when it comes to you, your fashion, and finding your own confidence.

You might think people are staring, and maybe they are. But instead of assuming what they are thinking is negative, think that perhaps they are admiring you instead.

Seeing someones face after an unexpected compliment is one of life's pure joys. You never know what struggles people are going through, so bringing some light into their day can mean multitudes.

Be that light and compliment others on a daily basis. It can be about how cute their outfit is, or how fantastic their smile is, or even how they are always so perfectly organized. Spreading kindness is a mutually beneficial act, not only are you making someones day you feel a warmth that is hard to match when you share positivity with others.

It's all too easy to brush off a nice word and spiral downwards into self deprecation. But I challenge you to start saying something simple instead, "Thank you". You may not believe what your complimentor is saying, but don't discard their words and discourage them from trying to spread love and joy by denying what is a truth to them.

Of course, if it's a catcall feel free to throw them the middle finger.

Do this often, do this alone and even sometimes naked. Get comfortable with what you see. Instead of looking in the mirror and picking out the things you hate, start listing off the things you like or having going for you. And come to terms with those things you don't like and maybe eventually you will start to find beauty in your flaws and see that the were never really flaws to begin with.

Share your outfit of the day and selfies on Instagram and compliment people you follow. Bring your existing friends on board with you and participate in Instagram self love challenges, like the #rebelliousselflove challenge, for moral support.

Yes, it will seem foreign at first, like you are bragging or full of yourself. But that is just a a fleeting feeling, and an ugly lie society has told us. There is nothing wrong with seeing yourself as a kind, beautiful person, worthy of a little praise.

Because you are.