this post was submitted on 18 Jan 2026
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I don't think I'm paranoid that people quietly think them. I may not always know when, but I know the sight of my stomach triggers people's insecurities.

One time I saw a woman with a stomach as big as an exercise ball in a crop top, and I've aspired to rock out as shamelessly as she did in her fully exposed stomach ever since.

This matters to me: I don't think she was pregnant. And I feel that means she didn't need a pregnancy as "excuse" to know she's entitled to proudly showing off her belly.

Btw, I think we've got to depict bellies as a sexy part of the body more. Even on abs, imo, a little pudge can look nice.

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[–] SwagliacciTheBadClown@hexbear.net 4 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

I don’t “show myself off” necessarily - but I try to be totally disconnected/unconcerned with my own/others opinions of my aesthetic - ie “just being me”. I’m sure in some ways it’s not really healthy technically, but at least it’s a nice surprise when I get a compliment for something lol.

[–] HexaSnoot@hexbear.net 1 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago)

Sounds like youre refusing to absorb other's self projections and not lashing out. I have no idea if your exact version is completely healthy, but it sure sounds like a safe shell.

I like showing myself off because I want to feel as radiant and beautiful as possible. I think that's the way more people could feel. And that never feeling and expressing our radiance can be a waste of our life. I wonder how I can do both, what you're doing and what I'm trying to do at once.

I used to give all people compassion each time I noticed someone acting insecure, but this often hasn't worked because so many people act and talk in bad faith. It's their shell, and when you point out their insecurity by saying its okay to look/be insert an okay thing to be, they usually will deflect and won't allow a crack in their shell for light to be let in. It's sad, I know what it's like to be in the dark about my beauty. Since reaching my highest ever weight, I'm recently very in the dark about it again. I feel like if I vulnerably act and dress like I'm proud of my body, people will feel entitled to shaming me. In their head and out loud with me in earshot of them.