I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror and sighed loudly. There they were again, lined awkwardly on my thighs, mocking me with their little eyes. 

I was 12 the first time I found stretch marks on my body, and I was absolutely horrified.

I tried everything to get rid of them. From expensive creams and oils, to natural remedies and DIYs, to actually praying to God to take it all away.

I hoped with every fiber in my being that one morning I would wake up and they would magically disappear from my body. 

But, no matter what I did, those lines remained a stubborn and adamant fixture on my body, a constant reminder of my “body's imperfections”.

Almost a decade later since I found my first stretch marks on my body, and boy! I’ve had a complete 360 shift.

In 2015, I saw someone for the first time on social media refer to stretch marks as “tiger stripes”.

I had Immediately googled tiger stripes even though I had an idea of what it looked like. I remember staring at each tiger stripe with a newness, how truly similar they were with our stretch marks.

There was a heady feeling to it. It was a small but powerful shift in perspective that made a world of difference in how I viewed myself.

I realized that I had been so focused on trying to hide the “marks” that I had never stopped to consider what they represented. These marks were a testament to my body's strength and resilience, proof that it had grown and changed over time.

I think most people are not comfortable with the idea of “marks”. We think marks mar our bodies. We think they make us less beautiful, less appealing, less seen.

These marks ushered in new body curves for me, a startling prove that spaces were being made for more of me.

It's easy to feel self-conscious about stretch marks, but they don't define you. Stretch marks are a reminder of your body capabilities. A reminder that your body can do beautiful amazing things.

Why Do Most Women Reject Stretch Marks?

We live in a society that places a great deal of emphasis on woman’s physical appearance. Every other day, we are bombarded with images of "perfect" bodies in magazines, advertisements, and social media, and we're often made to feel like we need to look a certain way in order to be considered attractive or desirable.

People ooooh and Ahhhh to smooth and spotless skins and is less receptive and more judgmental to individuals who dare to share their unfiltered real body and skin textures.

Women are easily judged more harshly than men when it comes to physical appearance. 

We are told that we need to be thin but not too thin, have curves in all the right places but definitely not fat and basically be flawless from head to toe. The pressure to conform to these standards can be overwhelming, and any perceived imperfection, like stretch marks, can feel like a failure.

Stretch marks can be a reminder of the experiences that we weren’t made to feel good about such as pregnancy, weight gain, or puberty. These experiences can already be really challenging without having to deal with the added stress of changes to our bodies. 

Society And It’s Beef With Stretch Marks

If we are being honest, there has definitely been a growing movement towards body positivity and embracing stretch marks. However, there’s no denying that society has played a major negative role in perpetuating harmful beauty standards and body shaming.

When the only images young and growing females are in the cover of a magazine and online are often heavily edited and airbrushed, young females start to internalize this and become unhappy when their bodies do not look like what they’re used to seeing.

It creates an unrealistic and unattainable standard of beauty. Stretch marks, along with other perceived "imperfections", are seen as a failure to meet these standards and can be incredibly damaging to our self-esteem.

A woman’s body is constantly policed, with messages about what we should or shouldn't wear, how we should or shouldn't behave, and what we should or shouldn't look like. 

This kind of intense and uncomfortable scrutiny can lead to feelings of shame about your stretch marks and other physical "flaws".

There’re a million articles online how to get rid of stretch marks online, and a bliion creams on the market that promise to "erase" or "diminish" stretch marks, playing into the idea that our marks are something to be fixed or hidden. This can make females easily see their stretch marks as something to get rid off. 

Our society is one that preaches self-love but actually prioritize perfection over self-love.

The Beauty Mark That Is Stretch Mark

Stretch marks are a natural and beautiful part of the human body.

When I finally began to embrace my stretch marks, I started to see them in a new light. Rather than being a sign of imperfection, they were a symbol of my body's resilience and adaptability. 

I began to appreciate the beauty of stretch marks in a deeper way. I began to see them as a roadmap of my life, tracing the changes and growth that I had experienced over the years. 

Each mark was a reminder of a moment of beautiful exquisite transformation, a sign of the way that my body had adapted and changed to meet up with life.

Stretch marks are a symbol of your strength and resilience, a reminder that your body is capable of doing beautiful and incredible things.

How Can You Embrace Your Stretch Marks?

Embracing stretch marks is a process that can take time and patience, but it's so worth it in the end. Here are some tips for how women can learn to love their stretch marks and feel confident in their own skin:

Shift your mindset: The first step in embracing your stretch marks is to shift your mindset. Rather than seeing them as a flaw or imperfection, try to view them as a natural and beautiful part of your body. Remember that your stretch marks are a sign of your body's resilience and strength, and that they are a testament to all that you have gone through.

Practice self-love: Learning to love your stretch marks is all about practicing self-love. You should create time for self-care activities that make you feel good, like taking a relaxing bath, practicing yoga, or indulging in your favorite hobby. When you feel good about yourself, it's easier to embrace all aspects of your body, including your stretch marks.

Seek support:  it’s important to surround yourself with people who actually support and uplift you. Talk to friends or family members who have also struggled with body image issues, or join a support group online. Knowing that you're not alone in your struggles can be a powerful motivator to embrace your stretch marks and feel confident in your own skin.

Dress for your body: Learning to dress for your body can be a game-changer when it comes to feeling confident and comfortable in your own skin. Always choose clothes that flatter your body and make you feel good, rather than trying to hide or minimize your stretch marks. Experiment with different styles and cuts until you find what works best for you.

Celebrate your body: Finally, make an effort to celebrate your body in all its forms. Take time to appreciate all the amazing things that your body can do, from dancing and hiking to cooking and creating. Remember that your worth is not defined by your stretch marks, or any other physical feature, but by the unique and amazing person that you are.

Embracing stretch marks is more than just a physical act, it's a deeply emotional journey that requires us to dig deep and confront our insecurities. 

For years, women have been bombarded with images of airbrushed perfection, leaving us feeling inadequate and unworthy.

But what if we chose to reject that narrative? What if we chose to see our stretch marks as a symbol of strength, resilience, and beauty? What if we celebrated our unique bodies, rather than trying to conform to an impossible standard?

Embracing our stretch marks is not just about accepting a physical feature of our bodies. It's about learning to love ourselves unconditionally, with all our imperfections and quirks. It's about recognizing that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms.

How about we challenge this boring outdated status quo and redefine what it means to be beautiful. 

In the end, it's up to you to really truly decide how you want to view your stretch marks. 

Will you choose to see them as something to be ashamed of, or as a symbol of your strength and beauty? The ball is in your court.