Was wanting to write about this since an indefinite passage of time but didn’t have the courage to speak about it openly. I maybe still speculating about whether to go ahead with narrating the said incident or not.I am writing it as nothing much has changed in people’s thinking from that time till now.Almost all of you must have heard about this word called body shaming with more and more people or influencers talking about it openly.
So here goes my story of my body being shamed simply because it didn’t appeal to their eyes.For all those who have seen me in real life, know that I am overweight or obese or as some people like to call it “healthy”. I always wonder why the adjective “healthy” is used. Perhaps to make us feel better. Anyhow getting on with the story. This incident took place few years ago when I was studying abroad for my masters degree. One of my friend had invited almost the entire class for her birthday.Usually I am the last person to attend such crowded parties. (I guess now we all are forced to inclined towards that thought). I was in my early twenties back then. I decided to wear the black short jumpsuit that I had purchased a week back. Got ready and was waiting for a few of my other friends to pick me up. Being June, it was a pleasant weather and perfect to wear a pair of shorts. And it was sunny as well.After about half an hour or so, my friends came. I was excitedly waving out to them but they didn’t seem that happy on seeing me. One of the girl came near me and said, what are these clothes that your wearing? I looked at myself from top to bottom thinking they had torn from somewhere. I replied back asking what’s wrong with them? Her reply shook me. She said aren’t those too short. In mind,I was wondering, shorts are supposed to be short only.I just said yes they are short and started walking. All of us reached the party venue eventually. Everyone started clicking selfies with the birthday girl. Maybe you can still find those pics on my social. More and more people and drinks started pouring in. Admist the clanging of glasses,I could even hear murmurs about my short jumpsuit. I brushed it off initially. After a while I felt,I just didn’t belong there. Came back to my student apartment after a while.The thing that hurt me the most about the incident was that it came from people I considered my friends.
The other thing that bothered me growing up was peoples keen interest in my height. Every-time I went for any family gathering, the first question would be, Eesha what’s your height? Most of them didn’t believe me. Some others used to say tall girls don’t find a groom easily which isn’t true since I got married to someone a bit taller than me.
These are just few incidents that I have narrated. I have been body-shammed numerous times knowingly or unknowingly by well-wishers and strangers. For them, it’s easier to say.
I am sure you all must have also gone through similar such experiences. Someone must have called you too thin or some others might have teased you about being too short. As a person I am someone who forgets incidents very easily but each and every minute detail of that black short jumpsuit debacle is itched in my mind. Hence just felt like sharing this incident. Yes I am still skeptical about wearing shorts while stepping out.
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