what is up, everybody!
so I've been trying to think
of a clever way to
work my way into the topic for the vlog today
but, i'm not quite sure there is one
it's something I've wanted to talk
to you all about for awhile
but I've not been quite sure how to approach it
because it's something that effects me quite a bit
so I still have vines
from 2013 to today
being retweeted
and they consistently show up in my notifications
which is wild to see
not only because of the nostalgia I feel
but also
it's just wild to note
how much my body changes in them
in a lot of my oldest videos
you can see I've got the bushy hair
still got the goofy face
but I also appear pretty svelte
and it's very much like this
up until
the end of 2014, early 2015
when I start gaining a bit of weight
and why this weight was gained?
I don't exactly know
less exercise!
possibly
stress!
good chance for that
eating habits!
that definitely could be!
no more eating entire pizzas in one night...
regardless
it was beginning to take a toll on me
and my self confidence
I took less pictures of myself
I didn't want to see the pictures
that other people had taken of myself
I felt less comfortable putting myself in front of the camera
and performing
I just felt all around
uncomfortable
being in public the way that I was
and how I looked
it wasn't until 2016
when I started switching a bit of my routines
that the weight started slowly being shed
the Ultimate Storytime tour really put me over the edge!
there's something about going on tour
and being on a bus for a month preforming every night
that really does something
today I feel really good with the changes
that I've made, but
I still find myself consistently
scrutinizing my body
and comparing myself to these other dudes
who have amazing bodies
and feeling like I somehow fail
for not looking like them
and everyday I
try to make correct choices, but a lot of times feel like I fall short
or just feel like there's just no way
for my body type to be the body types I aspire to be
but here's something that took me until very recently to realize
regardless of whatever change I was going through
with my body shape
my face
my figure
one thing didn't change
and that was
the love and support I got from all of you <3
regardless of how much I weighed
you were all still writing these sweet
wonderful messages to me
regardless of how ugly I thought my outward appearance was
you were all still creating these beautiful pieces of art
based on me
even when you all were doing all these things
I still in my mind was thinking
"yeah, these are nice but they're just being nice to me"
which is the silliest thing I could think
because you all didn't care what body type I had!
you all just saw me and loved me
for who I was
I mean it helped that I could make you smile and laugh with these silly videos
but your opinion of me and your love
was never affected by my weight
and I am so thankful that I now see that
and that truly is what body positivity is all about, right?
seeing the beauty in ourselves
many times it's the beauty that others already see in us
no one scrutinizes our flaws more than ourselves
and that may be hard to believe
but many times
we can be our own bully
my fellow guys! it's okay
to admit that you might be having trouble
with a positive perception of how you look
many times we feel that we don't
meet the standards of how society would like us to look
we might feel too skinny
too fat
and it's okay to reach out for support
and positive affirmation from your family and friends
that men come in all shapes and sizes
I don't know if there's a lot of media out there
right now to express good male body positivity
but you are allowed to love how you look
now, being a white, cis, male
I have no authority to speak on behalf of other communities
undergoing their own struggles
women
people of color
the trans community
non-binary individuals
people with disabilities
you all are undergoing different struggles
with body positivity
all your experiences are unique
but I think it's important
to acknowledge that they are all unique
we should be able to talk to each other
try to understand what each of us is going through
and see if we can figure out what we can do to make those struggles easier
I know I still need to do more
maybe in a future video I can bring on people from different communities
and we can talk further about this
in the end
our differences
our flaws
our individual body shapes
that's what makes us beautiful!
each line
each stretch mark
each roll
every hair
whatever moles or freckles
whatever the disability
whatever the pigmentation
they should be embraced!
they shouldn't be things we are ashamed of
and yes! that is easier said than done
so many of you are trying each and everyday
to love yourself
to look in the mirror and appreciate yourself
all of yourself
and you're all doing such a good job!
I am right there with you, okay
we'll keep trying together
I just learned recently to appreciate my thick thighs
to not be ashamed of my butt
oh no! we know you aren't ashamed of your butt!
quiet
surprised he hasn't shown it off yet..
it's okay he just posted another picture of it on Instagram
no regrets!
my main point is
if you have thick thighs
or skinny thighs
a big butt
or a small butt
your body is beautiful!
and people do see the beauty in it
they do!
there are ancient sculptors and painters who have depicted
beautiful people complete with rolls and other features
and isn't it wonderful to know you share features in common with works of art
if you want to lose weight, or gain weight
lose muscle, or gain muscle
grow your hair out, shave your hair
become more masculine, become more feminine
whatever! that's great
just as long as it's your decision and you're doing it for yourself and no one else
don't let anyone make you feel less than the beautiful person that you are
because I assure you their opinion does not matter
thank you all for helping me to see
that I should have been confident in my skin
all along
and if it's any return consolation
I have now attended a number of conventions and meet and greets
toured 17 cities
and interacted with a ton of you online and I don't think I've seen one
person who wasn't completely beautiful
fellas you too!
don't be afraid to be called beautiful I call 'em like I see 'em
let's all keep learning and striving to love ourselves
and until next time
take it easy guys, gals, and non-binary pals!
PEACE OUT!
You know sometimes friends can be the ones
to criticize us about how we look
Such a good point
especially now that we're approaching spring
and to that, I would probably defer
to this little infomercial
my friends told me I should go on a diet to get a better beach body
so...
This is me now!
I didn't do the diet, I just got better friends