A letter from Jul 20, 2025

Dear FutureMe, Right now, I’m dealing with something that hurts more than I want to admit. People talk, stare, judge. They make comments about my body — like it’s something they have a right to pick apart. They think “fat” is an insult, and some days, their words feel heavier than anything I carry on my body. The peer pressure is real. It’s not always loud or direct — sometimes it’s in the way people look at me when I eat, the way they act like I don’t belong, or the way they treat thinness like it’s the only kind of worth. Sometimes I want to disappear just to make it stop. But I’m writing this because I won’t disappear. I want you — future me — to remember this: your body is not wrong. You are not wrong. The people who bullied you, who tried to shrink your spirit along with your size, were small-minded, not strong. I hope you’ve learned to love the body you’re in, or at least make peace with it. I hope you’ve stopped apologizing for taking up space — physically, emotionally, or mentally. If you ever find yourself slipping into old doubts, please remember this moment — where despite the pain, I chose to speak up. I chose to believe that I deserve love, respect, and joy no matter what I weigh or how I look. You’ve made it this far. You’re stronger than they ever gave you credit for. And you’re still here. That’s something to be proud of. With love, Me aka Makayla (who’s still learning to love herself)