10 “Skinny” Girl Problems

While ploughing through my old diaries for some writing inspiration, I found this entry from when I was 20.

Being “Skinny” Problems

1. People see you eating junk food and automatically assume you must have an eating disorder to remain so “skinny”.
2. When you go around to peoples houses they insist on feeding you, like you’re freaking malnourished or something.
3. You’re under constant peer pressure to eat all the pies. By pies I mean the celebratory treats that inevitably float around open plan offices, which, somehow always end up back on your desk. “What do you mean you don’t want any more, you’re so skinny! Eat another one!” Er, no thanks, I’ve had enough!.
4. Clothes shops assume that if you’re a size eight then you must be a hobbit with a really short body and legs.
5. People say “You could should be a model”. Thanks for the compliment but at 5’8″ I’m actually on the short side. Plus I’d have to be beautiful or have those really wide spaced eyes and narrow cheek bones that make you look like an alien.
6. You have to punch holes in your belts manually, way before the metal ones. Your belt looks shit before quickly snapping in half.
7. You get really cold – ALL of the time.
8. When discussing what your bad habits are, be it cigarettes or alcohol etc. some people take a long look at your weight and then imply ‘jokingly’ that you must have a drug habit!
9. When you’re out clubbing and your hair has gone frizzy and your makeup has run off, you look like a transvestite who’s got lost on their way to the gay village.
10. Shoulder bags, vest straps and even wide neck tops fall off your shoulders – constantly.

I was never unhappy with my size but since then I’ve naturally gained weight and seem to have settled (on average) as a size 12 now. I thought I’d put it out there for anyone who constantly thinks “I wish I was really skinny!” or “I wish I could have curves!” I also think the ‘normal’ bodyshape campaigns that have been all over the media in recent years, featuring ‘real women with curves’ has widely missed the mark. Surely the point is: We should all be accepted without assumption, no matter what our shape or size.