beauty, Guest Posts, Inspiration, Owning It!, Self Image

I Like This Picture of My Cellulite: A 19 Year Old’s Journey To Self-Acceptance.

June 4, 2014

Dear Readers, Jen Pastiloff here. The post below was written by a 19 year old student. I love that I have teens following the site! I am developing a series for young writers to express themselves to accompany my new book “Girl Power: You Are Enough.” It is my great honor to be a platform for these beautiful voices. We want you to be heard. We are listening. See you all next workshop And at the workshop for girl- Girl Power: You Are Enough, which launches in September, 2015. Make sure you are following me on instagram and snapchat at @jenpastiloff!!

IMG_6719And I Like This Picture of My Cellulite by Victoria Erickson.

1d274906138129-today-cellulite-140617-blocks_desktop_medium

A Young Woman’s journey to self acceptance and appreciation.

Now, I’m not the cute blonde on the left but rather the more prominent, jean-jacket covered, cellulite charging, woman to the right.

And the first thing I thought of when I saw this picture was how HAPPY I look: I’m jubilant, radiant, fresh home from my first year of college and ready to celebrate with my hometown best. And I should’ve stopped there. It could have been enough to admire the photograph, to rejoice in the photographer’s ability to capture the joy and carefree art of two friends catching up after a year apart. It should have been.

But instead, I let my subconscious take over. I let that little voice in the back of my head tell myself that “I wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t enough…or rather I was TOO much. I let the brainwashing, nerve damaging thoughts seep in and overwhelm my mind, allowing the thoughts to poison my spirit. My mentality went from You look HAPPY!! to Yeah, you look happy…but why? you’re fat. Followed by, don’t believe me? Just look at that lump of cellulite you call a leg take over the shot and deplete the image of any beauty there may have been.

And the smile faded.

The disgusting part? I let it. I let my stomach sink, my chin drop, my eyebrows furrow, and my spirit shrink. I let the negative thoughts brew until they reached a dangerous boiling pointing as I asked myself Why didn’t the photographer just edit that out?! and What should I do?! As I wondered if it would be best to try to edit the cellulite myself, crop the picture from the waist down, or just “hide” the photo from my timeline all together?

A lot of distress and worry over a photo. A photo that did nothing more than capture the image presented before itself. And that’s when I realized, when you look at this photo, you might see the sorrow of imperfection, the impression of one (or two) many visits to the all-you-can-eat-University cafeteria as I did at first glance.

Or rather, you might see a young woman jubilant with friendship and conversation as I have now chosen to.

That’s the wonderful part! I decided that it is what I -independent, strong & mighty me-decide to see, feel, and believe that counts.

Because I’m nineteen and I’ve had enough. No more to comparison and emotional affliction. No more distress caused by preconceived notions of body image. No more to any of it.

So what did I do? I decided that I loved the picture. I decide that it was a wonderful snapshot of my friendship and that image truly captured the essence of a rain kissed stroll- flaws and all! And most boldly, I decided to share it.

That’s right. I decided that I love this honest and flawed picture so much so that I am going to embrace it, celebrate it, and yes, share it. Because I decided I would fight my demon and embody it because I didn’t -and don’t- have the time or energy to let it wear and tear me down anymore. Because it’s not important. And more so, because I hope when you look at yourself, whether in reflection or spirit, you do the same.

Because we’re better than that.

And because it’s actually ok to look at a photo and say yes, “I like this picture of my cellulite.”

rain-edit-1

 

1503811_10152221305128006_1609959954_n

Photograph referenced in article, taken by Atiim Jones Photography

Victoria Erickson is studying Journalism, Art History, and Studio Arts at the University of Iowa. As a student journalist and becoming adult she is trying to the find the balance between learning and leading.

Jen Pastiloff is the founder of The Manifest-Station. Join her in Tuscany for her annual Manifestation Retreat. Click the sunflowers!

Jen Pastiloff is the founder of The Manifest-Station. Join her in Tuscany for her annual Manifestation Retreat. Click the sunflowers! Sep 17-24, 2016. Please email info@jenniferpastiloff.com to book. 

 

 

March 13 NYC! A 90 minute class for women, girls and non-gender conforming folks (we encourage teens 16 and up) and all levels that will combine flow yoga, meditation, empowerment exercises, connection and maybe, just maybe, a dance party. This will be a class to remind you that you are enough and that you are a badass. It will be fun and empowering and you need no yoga experience: just be a human being. Let’s get into our bodies and move! Be warned: This will be more than just a basic asana class. It will be a soul-shifting, eye-opening, life-changing experience. Come see why Jen Pastiloff travels around the world and sells out every workshop she does in every city. This will be her last class before she has her baby so sign up soon. Follow her on instagram at @jenpastiloff and @girlpoweryouareenough.   Jen is also doing her signature Manifestation workshop in NY at Pure Yoga Saturday March 5th which you can sign up for here as well (click pic.)

March 13 NYC! A 90 minute class for women, girls and non-gender conforming folks (we encourage teens 16 and up) and all levels that will combine flow yoga, meditation, empowerment exercises, connection and maybe, just maybe, a dance party. This will be a class to remind you that you are enough and that you are a badass. It will be fun and empowering and you need no yoga experience: just be a human being. Let’s get into our bodies and move! Be warned: This will be more than just a basic asana class. It will be a soul-shifting, eye-opening, life-changing experience. Come see why Jen Pastiloff travels around the world and sells out every workshop she does in every city. This will be her last class before she has her baby so sign up soon. Follow her on instagram at @jenpastiloff and @girlpoweryouareenough.
Jen is also doing her signature Manifestation workshop in NY at Pure Yoga Saturday March 5th which you can sign up for here as well (click pic.)

 

You Might Also Like

84 Comments

  • Reply barbarapotter June 4, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    A wonderful post.

    • Reply joy June 5, 2014 at 10:22 am

      Nothing wrong with cellulite. Heck if I didnt have cellulite, there would be no reason to workout!!! Its what ispires me to get out and jog with my dog and enjoy the great outdoors.

  • Reply Angela Brennan June 5, 2014 at 1:22 am

    Beautiful photo of you two, captures the moment perfectly. Well done,a very brave and inspiring piece, something for all of us women to think about.

  • Reply Jamie June 5, 2014 at 8:38 am

    I honestly was looking hard to find the “cellulite” in this photo before reading- thats not someone just being nice thats me honestly saying that I didn’t see it and didn’t even think to look for it anyway. Your first impression of the pphoto is the one everyone else sees too. Cheers.

    • Reply steve June 17, 2014 at 5:10 pm

      I agree whole heartedly!

      • Reply hrhstout June 20, 2014 at 8:38 am

        I think there is another point. Don’t point out the flaws you think everyone is already looking at and most people won’t even notice them.

  • Reply Suzanne June 7, 2014 at 7:59 am

    You, my dear, are a writer. That’s some serious soul beauty, right off the bat. Then, you’re gorgeous. No, not the adorbs blonde on the left, the #brownchickenbrowncow girl on the right. And omgawd, look how HAPPY!

    I love that wrote this and shared this and ARE this.

    You rock.
    XO
    Suzanne Magdalena Rolph-Mcfalls

  • Reply I Like This Picture of My Cellulite: A 19-Year-Old's Journey to Self-Acceptance | UP LIFT NEWS June 9, 2014 at 10:50 am

    […] This post originally appeared on The Manifest-Station. […]

  • Reply I Like This Picture of My Cellulite: A 19-Year-Old’s Journey to Self-Acceptance | Essential Post June 9, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    […] This post originally appeared on The Manifest-Station. […]

  • Reply Barbie T. June 9, 2014 at 10:03 pm

    Do you know what I saw when I first looked at this picture? A beautiful young woman who looks extremely happy. No cellulite. Not even after you mentioned it. I hate that we turn magnifying glasses on ourselves to the point where we can take a gorgeous photo of ourselves and find fault. I’m guilty of the same. I un-tag pictures my friends post on Facebook because I think I look too fat/my hair looks bad/my make-ups not good enough, etc. ad nauseam. Your post has made me decide to go back and re-tag those pictures and allow myself to be in front of the camera more often.

  • Reply rachel June 10, 2014 at 3:34 am

    I didn’t see cellulite even after you pointed it out. My first thought when I saw the picture was “now THAT is how I want to look!” And I wasn’t thinking about your friend. You have a beautiful, healthy – looking body. Nothing to be ashamed of. As a 36 year old who has suffered body shame since I was 8, I’m thrilled at your decision to see a happy, strong woman. You’re gorgeous. You’re intelligent. You are NOT too much. To Hell with anyone who can’t see the inner and outer beauty you possess. ♡

    • Reply Catherine June 17, 2014 at 3:40 pm

      Today while taking a pilates class,I saw an image of myself in the mirror that made me cringe. My stomach looked huge, I was horrified. After reading your post I am choosing to embrace me. I’m forty-seven and I’m good!

      • Reply hrhstout June 20, 2014 at 8:30 am

        But how do you just “decide” not to mind your (supposed) flaws? I am 49 and by many standards, pretty looking and fit. But I cannot walk past a mirror if my stomach is visible because it bothers me so much. I want to “decide” I’m ok. But I don’t feel it. I really admire anyone who can, because this is a miserable way to feel. . .

  • Reply pam mines June 10, 2014 at 4:53 am

    You are beautiful and I loved the picture. ..keep the faith

  • Reply Gustavo June 10, 2014 at 6:34 am

    So is ok to be fat? I don’t get it. You should not just be ok with it. You should try to be healthy. Don’t obsess about, don’t cry about it, don’t exaggerate, don’t be complacent, just try.

    • Reply Lisa June 18, 2014 at 11:25 am

      Being ‘fat’ and healthy are not mutual exclusives. This girl looks very healthy, and not really fat at all. When I think ‘fat’, I think obese. This is not obese, this is a really nice body.
      Also, ‘trying to be healthy’ (or, as you mean it: trying to be skinnier) often leads to people being unhealthy: crash diets or not eating at all, exercising way too much…
      Lastly: it’s okay being okay with being fat. Again, I’m talking about normal fat. If your life is being threatened by your weight, you have a lot of trouble getting out of a couch or you choose to take one of those Wal-Mart wheelchairs instead of walking, then yes, you should try. But it’s okay being overweight – as long as you’re healthy.
      You should stop imposing the very beauty-ideal that is being ignored here – and that’s okay, because then you can see reality.

    • Reply cynccook August 1, 2014 at 8:51 pm

      Yeah, it’s okay to be whatever, as long as you can be happy with yourself. Duh. Did you even bother to read more than the headline?

  • Reply Atiim Jones June 10, 2014 at 7:56 am

    The black and white photo in your article was taken by me.

    https://www.themanifeststation.net/2014/06/04/i-like-this-picture-of-my-cellulite-a-19-year-olds-journey-to-self-acceptance/

    I’m o.k. with it being on your site, but please include a link to my photography page:

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Atiim-Jones-Photography/202159983138721?ref=stream

    • Reply JenPastiloff June 10, 2014 at 8:03 am

      Hi Atiim, doing that now. I only used what Victoria gave me which was your name and photo credit. It is linked now.

      • Reply Atiim Jones June 10, 2014 at 10:57 am

        Thank You so much! -Atiim

      • Reply Atiim Jones June 11, 2014 at 1:59 pm

        Jen. Is it possible that you can remove that photo from your page? I would like to replace it with a visible watermark to protect my photograph. The story is going viral, which is o.k., but there would be no story if it were not for me taking the photos in torrential rain. I can send a watermarked one to your email. Thanks!

      • Reply steve June 17, 2014 at 5:14 pm

        Did Atiim get a photo release?

    • Reply JenPastiloff June 11, 2014 at 2:12 pm

      yes, I would’ve done so originally. I only posted what Victoria sent me (photo credit by Atiim Jones.) Send asap. Let;s get it corrected!!

      • Reply Diana Mahoney June 17, 2014 at 10:57 am

        What are Victoria’s follow links for Twitter, Facebook, etc.? She is one to keep reading!

    • Reply Elle June 12, 2014 at 10:05 am

      That’s not what you said when I reshared this link on WordPress. I would have been happy to include a link to your photography. Instead your comment was rather abrasive about taking legal action.

  • Reply I Like This Picture of My Cellulite: A 19 Year Old’s Journey To Self-Acceptance. | mending my mind June 10, 2014 at 8:42 am

    […] I Like This Picture of My Cellulite: A 19 Year Old’s Journey To Self-Acceptance.. […]

  • Reply notDelilah June 10, 2014 at 11:35 am

    Lovely article depicting how our fears can break us down. And how we can choose truth over outside influence.

    I posted this article on the Body Image Movement Facebook page. As you even used the word ’embraced’, it belongs there as inspiration to everyone struggling to find themselves in the cacophony of voices telling us who we should be and how we should look.

  • Reply Elle June 11, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    Reblogged this on The Light.

    • Reply Atiim Jones June 11, 2014 at 9:40 pm

      Elle, the photo accompanied with “A Young Woman’s journey to self acceptance and appreciation” is owned and copyrighted by me and is the reason for the blog by Victoria. You have posted a high res version without a visible watermark, photo reference and my consent. I am kindly asking you, just as I contacted Jen, to remove the photo immediately! If you would like it replaced, I can provide one with my watermark on it. If you cannot comply, we will have legal issues to deal with.

      • Reply steve June 17, 2014 at 5:16 pm

        Did you get a photo release?

      • Reply Sarah Martin June 18, 2014 at 2:24 pm

        Way to ruin the point of the essay by covering her leg with your watermark. Don’t worry, everyone now knows your name and after reading your comments, we have a pretty good idea about your personality, too. No one would have heard of you if this wasn’t being shared, why can’t you just enjoy that without being so abrasive?

      • Reply Barbara Hall August 2, 2014 at 6:01 am

        I’m overjoyed that I don’t live in your part of the world…photographer…otherwise I might accidentally employ you as a photographer. By all the posts I see written by you, you sound like a horrible person that I would not like to include in my life -for any reason whatsoever! I don’t see anything impressive about your “work” here. I would have guessed it to have been captured by a cheap cell phone. I do like the subject matter and the story of acceptance conveyed by this woman.

  • Reply Unsure "Adult" June 16, 2014 at 10:32 am

    Reblogged this on Boo's & Ooo's.

  • Reply brian June 17, 2014 at 6:30 am

    Tell Victoria she really is beautiful and hot. I think the biggest problem is guys. For some reason they think thin looks good. But to me, there is nothing sexier than a pretty face and a sweet heart.

    Please pass on to Victoria if possible.

  • Reply Cori June 17, 2014 at 8:51 am

    Self acceptance is something we all work on (I think) on a daily basis. I teach at the high school level and work hard every semester to teach the kids about self acceptance, but it is hard to practice what I preach. I think we all want to be the best versions of ourselves. Victoria is beautiful, I love her smile, the honesty she posses in the picture and her courage to share her story with others. I struggle with Melasma and friends will often say, I didn’t even notice, but that is the first thing I see everyday! I’ve stumbled upon an amazing and incredible product called Nerium. Please pass this onto Victoria as I would love to share my story and this “miracle cream” with Victoria. I avoided it forever, because I didn’t want to be disappointed….again, but I have been pleasantly surprised along with many, many friends of mine.

  • Reply Chloe Rose June 17, 2014 at 9:20 am

    I saw an interview with a particularly “lovely” model some time back. Can’t recall her name. But, her observation was that she was fortunate to have won the “genetics lottery.” I have thought about that comment quite a bit. Some of us win that lottery – but it won’t make us happy, successful, whatever. It is what we do with ourselves, imperfections and all, that is important.

  • Reply Thank You To The Today Show & Cosmopolitan UK! | The Manifest-Station June 17, 2014 at 11:42 am

    […] is exciting! A post I published a week ago called “I Like This Picture of My Cellulite: A 19 Year Old’s Journey To Self-Acceptance” has gone viral. It’s been picked up by Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan and now The Today Show. […]

  • Reply ashley June 17, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    I love this. Beauty on the inside and out. I was totally LOVING all the positive energy in the comments below… and then that glow like feeling felt disgusted when I read the comments from the photographer. Firstly, it is completely understandable that someone’s talent be credited. However, the energy behind his comments was just plain disgusting. Something beautiful came out of his art, something soulful. You can get credit in a gentle way and in return you will earn respect and admiration. Instead I’m completely turned off by the photographer. What a shame for him, since I highly doubt he is as negative of a person as he made himself sound. There would be no article with out this girl. This isn’t really about his photo, its about someone finding acceptance in this world. She could have found that through any photo. The photo is great, two beautiful girls. However, what caused this to go viral was the girl’s story. There would be no story with out the writer…not the photographer.

    • Reply steve June 17, 2014 at 5:21 pm

      The “photographer” is only looking to “cash in”…..sorry to say….

    • Reply emaggard June 17, 2014 at 10:04 pm

      That’s really not fair. Being a photographer is a profession- a job. The work done, that gave this woman her newfound confidence was this photographer’a lifeblood. I don’t work for free. And I doubt you do either. The photographer didn’t ask for money, simply a watermark- branding what was rightfully theirs. What’s the problem? I fail to see how marking intellectual property not cited correctly (which the author of the post had not issue doing) properly takes away at all from the wonderful sentiment of acceptance in this piece, especially as it seems likely the writer has seen many pictures of herself in her lifetime. This is the one that struck her.

  • Reply multidimensionalsuchness June 17, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    A beautiful photo that captures a beautiful soul…and some cellulite. The Raphaelites would have thought this photo a masterpiece! However, our culture has decided to assign a negative connotation to cellulite…for some profit-driven reason only real life Mad Men understand completely.

    I had something similar happen to me recently when my husband posted a picture of me at dinner with friends on Facebook. The angle of the photo and the low slung belt I was wearing emphasized the gained 10-15 pounds I’ve gained (mostly in my belly) since entering menopause. I was awake for 3 hours in the middle of the night debating whether to wake my husband and yell at him then ask him to crop the photo. Finally, I came to the realization that if I’m going to be honest in my writing I need to be honest about all other aspects of my life as well–even if it was a bad angle 😉 The photo (uncropped) remains–muffin-top and all.

    If you can, you should try to get your post in the hands of the author Anne Lamott, who has famously said, “I am not my cellulite”.

    Congrats on a great post and well-deserved recognition!

  • Reply Amanda June 17, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    I did my senior project on self image. Its an essay and video. You should take a look at it because I have some of the same feelings about myself that you have about yourself. (You actually aren’t much older than me) Its what ultimately led me to chose self image as my topic for my project. You can find the video here: https://aespring3.wix.com/amanda-slc

  • Reply Cassidy June 17, 2014 at 3:31 pm

    Girlfriend, I didn’t even notice it! I looked at the picture before I read the article, thinking there was some creepy person lurking in the background, or a pot about to fall on your head or something. I couldn’t figure out what was “wrong” with the photo until I read the article! We are our worst critics, and I think you made the right choice in sharing this photo–what a special moment in time! You’ll love it forever, I just know it. It’s not being stick-thin or having 0% body fat that matters, it’s being healthy that matters–and some of my fittest, workout-a-holic friends have cellulite, and they agonize over every last inch of it, but it’s genetics, it’s being a woman, it’s being alive, and it’s something that isn’t even noticed. Carry on!

  • Reply Kristen N. June 17, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    I saw the story on MSN and immediately had to post to you. I didn’t even see cellulite until I started reading the story and the “flaw” was pointed out to me. All I saw were two beautiful girls having a beautiful moment together and that made me so happy.

    It’s so sad as women we focus so much on our imperfections that we can’t see how perfect we are as a whole. You are BEAUTIFUL, and so much wiser at 19 than I ever was.

    You keep bein’ you girl. The world is a better place for having someone like you-a healthy role model-in it.

  • Reply anniedurrett June 17, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    We are all beautiful imperfections.Thank you for sharing these wonderful words with so many people. I’m going to re:blog this to dyslexicchic.com

  • Reply Debbie Accomazzo, Founder - All About Girls June 17, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    Reblogged this on All About Girls and commented:
    Chapter One — and it’s a good one.

  • Reply anniedurrett June 17, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Reblogged this on Dyslexic Chic and commented:
    We are all beautiful imperfections. The sooner we can accept that the better it is for us. “You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is so precious to God.” ~1 Peter 3:4

  • Reply steve June 17, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    I really liked the picture…..to be honest I couldn’t read past the first couple paragraphs….it ruined the picture for me…..I never once saw what you saw…..

  • Reply salexand June 17, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    I didn’t see your flaws even after you pointed them out. You are beautiful! You look happy, and your picture and story made me happy!

  • Reply Kat June 17, 2014 at 5:36 pm

    Like many others, what I noticed was your smile and happiness – couldn’t figure out the issues until you pointed it out to me. And then I thought “That’s it?!” I’m so glad you are taking steps to think better of yourself. I am constantly battling my daughter, 12, about how she looks, especially her thighs. I am going to have her read this and hope she can use your wisdom and apply it at an earlier age than either of us did. And hopefully be part of a change I’d like to see in the world in regards to women and beauty.

  • Reply ivanbaker June 17, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    Good for u 🙂

  • Reply Douglass K. June 17, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    your beauty stuns me.. You need to stop the self bashing and keep your head up…. Some guy will be extremly lucky to be with you.. your smart, beautiful and have a wonderful smile..

  • Reply wes June 17, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    Didn’t even notice your legs, was too busy looking at beautiful smile and face. Hope you get past this, Good luck, Wes

  • Reply Dionne June 17, 2014 at 11:08 pm

    I am inspired by your honesty. I have avoided the “wrong end of the camera” for many years due to my shame about my size. It was recently reinforced by the “thicker pageant contestant” that is a size 4. Please! That make the rest of us look like heffalumps or something. You are not fat. It is easy for me to say, as I can’t look at my own mirror with that kind of generosity. I haven’t worn a swimsuit for years because my ex husband assured me that no one really wanted to see that.

    I will try harder now to see the more positive side of who I am instead of how I look. Thank you.

  • Reply Melissa June 18, 2014 at 6:57 am

    I hope my daughter comes to the same conclusion you have so eloquently expressed here. In all honesty, all I saw in that photo was two gorgeous girls with radiant smiles. If only everyone could experience that kind of joy on a daily basis. Keep on writing and accepting yourself, Sister. Big things are in store … and I’m not talking cellulite.

  • Reply Barbara June 18, 2014 at 7:21 am

    I love this picture! You look beautiful-never even noticed your legs-the smiles and happiness is what shows. But I understand how we are our own worst enemies with self criticism. Learning to see ourselves as others do can be difficult-but rewarding.

  • Reply anne-marie dreesen June 18, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    The only look at the picture tells me that you are a wonderful person, and the first thing I saw was your beautiful smile. I think that’s more important than anything else in life. I’ve been living with cellulitis for the last 40 years, happily married with the same man for the last 10 000days, most of my friends without cellulitis (all very slim and well shaped) all divorced several times, and all have complicated lives. maybe cellulitis is the answer to happines, who knows 🙂

  • Reply KiShout June 18, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Too bad the watermark is placed on the cellulite in question! Can’t really see anything with all writing in the way… Of all the places to put the credit

    • Reply JenPastiloff June 18, 2014 at 1:26 pm

      It’s a drag. It wasn’t like that but he asked me to swap it out with this image. The watermark covers up her legs. 🙁

      • Reply Rachael August 3, 2014 at 12:37 am

        Absolutely! I kept looking and looking for this “mysterious cellulite,” eventually coming to the conclusion that it had been covered by the watermark. Incorrectly (and now that I think on it, obviously NOT your fault), I had assumed the author had a bad photo. Now I know that perhaps even if you had originally printed a picture with her every demand, with the photographer’s name on it, endorsed by the House and Senate, praised nationally by President Obama, and lauded by social rights activist, retired Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu as one way to celebrate the beauty and strength of women everywhere -still I fear that this photographer would passive-aggressively (well, it does seem to be her thing) threaten each of them with legal action if they did not cite her name every time “they” use this photo as an example of the beauty of real women. Of course, that probably wouldn’t be enough, either… Don’t worry the message of your story still shines through and right now, at least, I feel that perhaps there still might be hope yet.

      • Reply Rachael August 3, 2014 at 12:39 am

        Umm, HIS every demand, I see. I do apologize for confusing the genders.

  • Reply Abigail June 18, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    She looks so healthy. Cellulite? who cares. We all either have it or will have it at some point. Im glad she’s happy! Thats what matters. Im 8 months pregnant and always feel fat, but i have to remind myself that Its all a baby and Ill have my 150lb body back in a few weeks. And I loved being 150lbs and 5’3″. I don’t want to look like a railroad tie like some girls my age! I wouldn’t have noticed her legs because this picture is such a good snapshot of two friends having a genuinely good time!!

  • Reply kylerjalen June 18, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    So THIS is the blog that was causing waves.
    In truth, where I’m from, people here are not that body conscious (brand and status conscious maybe) so to me you look fine.
    That said, I totally agree with what you said. No one is perfect. But if you are taking care of yourself and working towards becoming better, that is all that matters. Who gives a (fillintheblank) about what others think.
    Do you.

  • Reply Self Acceptance… It’s Possible! | Blog It Mum! June 18, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    […] This post originally appeared on The Manifest-Station. […]

  • Reply A 19-year-old’s Journey To Self-Acceptance | Lipstick & Politics June 18, 2014 at 9:36 pm

    […] surprise and excitement, Pastiloff posted her self-described “gutsy-vulnerable” piece, “I Like This Picture of my Cellulite: A 19 Year Old’s Journey to […]

  • Reply Robert June 19, 2014 at 4:57 am

    I feel it might be somewhat easier than many others for you to accept and move on, because you are pretty and there really is not much cellulite to talk about.

    But spare a thought for the many who are genuinely overweight and less pretty (or what is generally accepted as pretty). All of them beautiful, but all of them subjected to body image stereotypes.

    It’s my job to help these beautiful people, and most of them have a longer journey to acceptance than you.

  • Reply Why a simple act speaks to so many… | Life of a Library Tech and Mom June 19, 2014 at 5:59 am

    […] (I first encountered it on Yahoo in the newsfeed), but if you haven’t read this article (https://www.themanifeststation.net/2014/06/04/i-like-this-picture-of-my-cellulite-a-19-year-olds-journey-&#8230😉 please […]

  • Reply 19-Year-Old’s Body Image Essay Touches Collective Nerve | Health Senses by AllureSenses.com June 20, 2014 at 5:30 am

    […] a blogger and University of Iowa sophomore, appears to be impressively close — at least in her personal essay about learning to love her cellulite. The piece, originally published in early June on the website […]

  • Reply You are beautiful | Jeans and a Tank Top June 20, 2014 at 10:28 am

    […] and some truly resonate with the reader. Today I discovered Victoria Erickson’s blog post I Like This Picture of My Cellulite. While the viral nature of the post is evidence that it resonated with a large number of people, […]

  • Reply Catherine June 20, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    Je prends la peine de publier ce petit commentaire uniquement pour remercier l’admin

  • Reply Victoria Erickson, 19 anni e una vittoria: "Cellulite? Ne vado fiera" |Ladyblitz June 26, 2014 at 7:24 am

    […] suo blog la ragazza ha infatti ammesso di non avere un fisico da top model ma anche di non voler rinunciare […]

  • Reply Teen Girl Finds Her Confidence By Accepting Her Cellulite June 26, 2014 at 10:30 am

    […] of Iowa sophomore Victoria Erickson wrote a personal piece about her body image on The Manifest-Station blog titled ‘I like This Picture Of My Cellulite: A 19 Year Old’s Journey To […]

  • Reply Jennifer July 10, 2014 at 6:08 am

    You have a beautiful smile!

  • Reply cynccook August 1, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    Well said! And for what it’s worth, you are as cute as a darn button!!!!!

  • Reply Sydney Silver August 2, 2014 at 2:45 am

    cellulite used to be considered to be beautiful, and if you can see that the dimples are just a part of how you look, like an art form (not as it is currently called a flaw), then yes, anyone can see that this is an amazing and beautiful photo -Sydney Silver (PS: beauty isn’t necessary)

  • Reply John August 3, 2014 at 2:13 am

    I am glad for you that you have decided to embrace this photo, I would. You both are seen as happy, young and excited about something. Why dig for imperfections? IF someone doesn’t like something about you, that is their problem. You have things to do and places to explore; those who also embrace that motto are welcome with me, with you, and with anyone else who is growing. The beauty within us all shines out and your photo proves it! Carpe diem.

  • Reply Stretch Marks Help September 17, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    Nice photo! And good to know about embracing your flaws, etc and I admire you for that. Great post. – John

  • Reply Lisa Hill December 4, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    I fail to understand why beauty is considered something sans cellulite. You are an inspiration to people who throw away their health out of the window and get under the knife just to look someone else.

  • Reply Aliceie Rodriquez May 9, 2015 at 2:31 am

    I really like such experiences as they are really very motivating. I think al;ways good to overcome such things because they are not worth it.

  • Reply Paul Buttars September 2, 2016 at 6:03 am

    I loved your experience.

  • Reply Palmer Whitey September 16, 2016 at 1:00 am

    What an inspiring Story

  • Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.