30 Comments
User's avatar
Samantha Jacqueline's avatar

💚

Expand full comment
Moss and Matchsticks's avatar

People's unsolicited judgements of our bodies is a kind of emotional violence. Our bodies aren't public property to be discussed through another person's judgemental lense. I often think, as it's happening, "Bold of you to assume I'm interested in your thoughts on this matter when what I care about is how hard my beautiful body is working to move me through the world" or less eloquently "Eff off" but, unlike the eejit sharing their judgements so freely, I have a filter so dont say them out loud. Thank you for writing and expressing this so beautifully. I hear you, truly.

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

thank you so much, I really appreciate it :)

Expand full comment
know your innerverse's avatar

This is beautifully written. The body as a map rather than a list of flaws. Reframing stretch marks, moles, and birthmarks into landmarks is so powerful. Thank you for sharing this perspective. It’s a reminder we all need.

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

I’m so glad you enjoyed! Thank you for taking the time to read my work <3

Expand full comment
Hina Gondal's avatar

So beautiful

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

thank you 🩶

Expand full comment
barbara ♡'s avatar

this article is really beautifully written. for everyone struggling with their body and needing to find the beauty in it. It’s so important to love your own body, but yet for many of us not easy. Especially when other people tell you there anything not „right“. It’s only rude and disrespectful. So thank you for sharing your thoughts on this ❤️

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

thank you so much ❤️

Expand full comment
amova's avatar

I love the way you used allegories. Your writing carried me away. It happens to me very rarely, keep it up. New subscriber here.

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

thank you so much, that means a lot to me <3

Expand full comment
Gemma's avatar

Loved it so much. The imagery, the metaphor. It made me smile about my insecurities; we forget how unique we all are <3

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

I’m so glad this piece made you smile, thank you for taking the time to read it 🫶

Expand full comment
Ideas's avatar

Wow! That's some honest words. Thanks for the advice, thanks for the knowledge shared in such a way that I can't explain 🫶🏻just feel it and understand. That was amazing. My heart is full now. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

thank you so much, that made my day 😊

Expand full comment
Yoana ꨄ︎'s avatar

I truly loved reading this! I absolutely loved the part “birthmarks indicate where a person was kissed the most in their past life” and how you relate it to your body and loving yourself through insecurity.

I’ve recently started using my body as a map and what a wonderful discover it is.

When I read this piece, there was so much calmness and connection that I felt like you truly embody resonance through your words. ♡

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

I’m so glad you enjoyed! Thank you for reading & for your kind words 🫶

Expand full comment
Luminora's avatar

This is a very beautiful piece. You have mentioned every flaw as a blessing which you have received. Well, that takes a lot of courage, strength and confidence. Keep it up!

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

thank you so much :)

Expand full comment
Arabella's avatar

Your imagery is breathtaking. The way you turn insecurities into "corporeal landmarks" feels both intimate and universal. I love your vocabulary, especially phrases like "wholly patent" and "corporeal landmarks," which elevate the piece with such precision and elegance.

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

that means so much to me, thank you <3

Expand full comment
delicatehibiscus's avatar

Such a beautiful and vulnerable piece 🥹🤍. Thank you so much for sharing. I find it such a lovely thought that our birthmarks are the places where we were kissed the most in previous lifetimes. I have two in my cheek areas. I hope you continue to see yourself as the perfectly imperfect human masterpiece that you are. No matter what anyone else (even your own mind) your insecurities are part of what makes you beautiful.

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

birthmarks are such a beautiful thing. Thank you for reading & sharing your thoughts <3

Expand full comment
Kiishiidowu's avatar

This felt like a hug in words. Thank you for sharing so honestly.

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

that’s so kind, thank you ☺️

Expand full comment
TheQuietFeast's avatar

This is so beautifully written — I love the metaphor of your body as a map. The way you describe stretch marks as waves and birthmarks as landmarks feels powerful and tender. Thank you for sharing something so raw and transforming it into art!!

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

thank you for your kinds words, I’m so happy that you enjoyed my work <3

Expand full comment
Aleah B.'s avatar

Beautiful!! I also learned to love my features this way. I love that every detail of my body was passed down by my ancestors. It’s actually so cool. Also, I hate when people make comments about other people’s appearance like that. I personally feel that attraction is subjective (though we are all impacted by society and what society tells us is attractive). But what is considered “conventionally attractive” is constantly changing. The features I was teased for as a kid suddenly became cool when I was an adult. Anyway, love this, what an excellent message!

Expand full comment
Lillian Kennedy's avatar

Thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed! It is so cool that our features are the product of our ancestors, that we represent those who came before us :)

Expand full comment