Most of us assume that once we become adults we don't have to worry about bullies anymore.
Sadly, that is not the case, and bullies can come out of nowhere to make people feel vulnerable and insecure.
One woman's story about how she was laughed at for simply wearing a bikini at a beach has gone viral and sparked an important conversation about body positivity.
Take a look at how this woman's story shut down the haters once and for all.
She runs a Facebook page called Bald and Beautiful, which she started after deciding to shave off her hair for charity in 2018.
Besides raising money for charity, Shelley was also motivated to shave her hair to send a body-positive message to others.
In a Facebook post, Shelley detailed how a group of men pointed and laughed at her while she was wearing a bikini at the beach.
"To the guys who pointed and laughed when I took my sarong off today at Mt Maunganui Beach, bearing my soul (my bikini body) to the world, I just want to say (excuse my language but) F**** YOU!" she wrote in her Facebook post.
"It’s because of people like you that women especially don’t feel safe or confident or comfortable to go out in society in something like a bikini, or a crop top (they probably aren’t even called that anymore!) or a short dress, or with their midriff showing," she said.
"I won’t lie, there was a split second that I almost quickly covered up again, and then I reminded myself of all I have learnt on this journey, and I held my head high and stuck my belly out and wore that bikini with pride," she said.
Many people thanked Shelley for sharing her experience and that this message helped them with their own body-positive journeys.
Sometimes, you need to use tough language to shut down the haters, but Shelley also proved that she can rise above them in a positive and constructive way.
Almost everyone, men and women included, struggles with their body image. We need role models like Shelley to show us that it's okay to feel insecure but that we can embrace who we are.
"To all of those who responded on my behalf to all the hateful comments, thank you for taking a stand against bullying. Thank you for making a difference in a world that is too quick to judge," she said.
Go, Shelley! This story must have been difficult to share but it made a huge difference and helped a lot of people.
In it, she wrote, "Wow! What an overwhelming response there has been to my post about wearing my bikini on Mount Maunganui Beach!! Honestly so much more than I could ever have imagined, it’s so humbling! It’s clear that this message and experience has struck a lot of people and that’s spread the message so far!"
"Unfortunately, that’s something I can’t change. So while those opinions might have been sent to knock me down or change my mind or stop me spreading this message, I want each and everyone of you to know that your comments only do the opposite! They inspire me to spread this message further."
She explained how she leads a healthy lifestyle, and that her body is not the product of poor choices, "I eat very nutritiously and I put a lot of time into preparing healthy and nutritious meals. I am a lot fitter and healthier than a lot of “skinny” people. My weight has nothing to do with poor life choices."
"For proving my point - that the people in society and there inaccurate and assumptive judgements are what’s wrong with the world, and why so many people struggle with body image issues."
"Thank you for building those around you up and making this world a better place to live. Thank you for making a difference in a world that is too quick to judge."
