St Lucia's body-positive surroundings was a confidence increase for Stephanie Yeboah, who now recommends the Caribbean island to fellow plus-size vacationers.
Rising up in a plus-size physique doesn't come with out its negatives. From the polarizing therapy I’d get from strangers to lack of entry to fundamental services, in every single place I turned I’d be made conscious that my dimension was a problem to others.
This triggered me to develop a self-hatred of my physique that manifested itself in a wide range of methods – together with avoiding journey or being seen in public.
After I'd open up journey brochures or see holidays marketed on TV, I’d be met with photos of fashions with smaller, super-toned our bodies dwelling their greatest lives on trip.
I satisfied myself that journey and seaside holidays weren’t for people with our bodies like mine and that I used to be too fats to get pleasure from myself overseas.
It sounds foolish to recall these moments, however on the time, the shortage of physique range within the advertising of journey made me suppose that you might solely go to these seaside locations in the event you had a physique sort that match society's normal of magnificence.
Touring solo as a confidence booster
All through my early twenties, I launched into a vanity journey of types. I used to be maturing, and wanted to shake off trauma in addition to unlearn the poisonous narratives surrounding physique dimension that I had internalized whereas rising up. This was important to dwell my greatest life.
A part of doing so included taking the leap and touring solo to spice up my confidence. I began touring in 2016, and whereas I had a tremendous time, I caught to cities and rural spots – in different phrases, locations that didn't require me to put on bikinis, shorts, skirts or spaghetti-strap tops.
Although I may slowly really feel my confidence rising, I wasn't on the level the place I felt comfy in my physique.
Then, in 2019, every part modified for me. I used to be invited to go to St Lucia for a number of days in honor of Black Historical past Month. Whereas I used to be stuffed with pleasure, part of me was additionally stuffed with dread.
Visiting a Caribbean island may solely imply one factor: scorching climate and seashores. The considered having to put on items that may maintain me cool gave me emotions of hysteria. I had come to this point in my self-love journey; however was I able to go all out and put on a swimsuit?
All of my outdated insecurities resurged with a vengeance: What would individuals say if I did? Would I must work out earlier than going? Ought to I’ve a bikini physique? Wouldn’t it be acceptable for me to put on leggings on the seaside?
I made a decision to exit on a whim and purchase three string bikinis, only for amusing. My intention was by no means to put on them publicly, however to only see what I appeared like in them.
Probably the most body-positive of locations
Quick ahead a number of weeks later and I arrived in St Lucia. It's no hyperbole for me to say that it is likely one of the most lovely locations on Earth. And what makes the island lovely isn't simply the agriculture, the Piton mountains or the seashores, however the individuals.
From the second my airplane touched down till my flight off the island, I used to be greeted with our bodies that appeared like mine: Plus-sized our bodies of St Lucian girls carrying lovely wrap skirts, tiny shorts and crop tops, simply going about their day by day lives.
Nobody stared at them or questioned them for daring to put on such clothes. They have been handled as regular human beings. And in that second, I'd by no means felt so seen earlier than.
After I arrived at my resort, I eliminated the tags on my new black-and-red bikini and popped it on with a cover-up, and headed for Rodney Bay seaside. A good friend mentioned I ought to have my picture taken, so I made a decision to let go of my inhibitions, take off my cover-up and pose in my size-24 bikini.
The frenzy of adrenaline that got here with doing that was merely addictive. I used to be met with compliments and cheers, with individuals telling me I needs to be a mannequin. I wasn't used to my physique being seen in such a optimistic means, and the impact it had on my shallowness was momentous.
Magnificence in all styles and sizes
Locals I met instructed me concerning the St Lucian normal of magnificence and the way it usually celebrates curvier our bodies. I found for myself how larger our bodies have been celebrated on the island, and the way St Lucians acknowledge that magnificence is available in all styles and sizes.
As somebody who has grown up within the shadows of the Westernized requirements of magnificence and his favoritism towards slim our bodies, listening to this various take was music to my ears.
I spent the remainder of the journey sunbathing in my bikinis and strolling proudly in sundresses. I started to develop a newfound sense of confidence. I felt enticing. I felt comfy. And for the primary time, I felt like I deserved to get pleasure from myself unapologetically.
I’ve returned to the island once more, and the second time was even higher than the final. I’ll all the time credit score the attractive island as being the place the place I received my body-image groove again.
