I have really, really missed taking part in with Sinful Sunday, so I’m back again. I’m being even braver this week and sharing a photo of my own body, which still feels incredibly scary. I’m continuing my exploration of what counts as “sinful” with a photo of my newly examined tummy rolls.
As well as my anxiety around joining in with Sinful Sunday, I certainly wasn’t expecting to submit a photo on a prompt week – especially when that prompt is an actual photographic term that implies some skill is needed. But when I saw that the prompt was double exposure I did have an idea. An idea that I was so confident that might work that I DM’ed Molly, hoping that she would offer some advice. She did, with some help I’ve managed to bring my idea to life.
I have a confession to make: I don’t love how my stomach looks right now.
I don’t know if I was just looking-and-not-seeing before, but it feels like I’ve only just noticed my little tummy rolls. I’m challenging myself to be comfortable with these changes, and today I have done my best to explore this in a double exposure photo of me sucking in my stomach and trying to look petite (which I can still do!) overlaid with one of me with these tiny rolls of fat and flesh that I can pinch.
While I know that I have huge amounts of thin privilege, putting on weight is still a weird experience in our society. I’ve been underweight for several years now – I need to put on weight, as has been confirmed by several doctors. That doesn’t make it easier to look at myself in the mirror or struggle to zip up my favourite skirts or dresses. Loving my body – my beautiful, healthy body – as it changes is hard.
In this society, accepting my cute little tummy rolls and being happy with them is sinful; I should be ashamed of my body. I’m learning to love it, just as I’m learning to edit my own photos and maybe even say I’m proud of the image I’ve created.
Click the kiss for more sins…
Quinn Rhodes (he/him) is a freelance journalist, sex writer, and professional transsexual. His work focuses on dismantling shame and queering sex.
I really like this. It’s framed well and is incredibly intimate.
This is a great image and I am glad you are proud of it 🙂
Welcome back to Sinful sunday. I think this photo is fabulous and you look fabulous too.
This really is a fabulous image! I love the two versions of you and love that you are trying to embrace your healthy self.
Rebel xox
Beautiful image ?
While tough body feels are valid, as sombody who is a BIG fan of tummies I think yours is so damn cute! Really love this pic, actually! I’m glad to hear that you’re putting in the hard work of learning to love your body too ?❤
A powerful image and beautiful too.
This is a beautiful image and reminds me of myself as I’m forever poking and squeezing my tummy rolls!
Lovely image
Powerful post, and you look lovely!
Beautiful image.
Loving ourselves and how we look is a difficult thing to do, yet admitting to it is even harder. Criticism seems like an easy way of lashing out at both ourselves and others.
I think loving our bodies no matter how they look is actually hugely radical and an almost rebelious act. So much of our world teaches us that we need fixing in someways that embracing who and what we are can be so difficult.
I am so glad the image worked out. I think it is beautiful as are you
Mollyx