Lily Dean, 23
I'm 5 feet 2 inches, and I've always embraced being short, finding it cute. While I sometimes consider being thinner, I also appreciate a curvy body shape. It's about what feels natural for my body; starving myself to a size 6 wouldn't be authentic for me.
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When it’s just me and the mirror and I only see myself, sometimes I’m like, “damn I look good.” Most of the time though, it’s just as I am…and I’m happy with it. Being a figurative sculptor and using my own body as a subject has helped me learn to celebrate the body for what it really is, and to put less emphasis on the individual bits. - Lilly, 23
As an artist, I engage in figurative sculpting and life drawing. When translating a body into art, it transcends societal perceptions. It transforms into forms of flesh, revealing muscles and bones, moving beyond subjective judgments. This disassociation offers a more interesting perspective than simply labeling bodies as 'fat' or 'thin'. For me, beauty encompasses everything, as aesthetics and visuals are paramount. However, my focus currently lies on significant life aspects like relationships, career, and future uncertainties. My appearance, in contrast, is a constant source of fun and self-expression.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace your natural body: Lily Dean celebrates her height and curvy shape, rejecting societal pressures for an unnatural physique.
- Art as self-acceptance: Her work as a figurative sculptor helps her appreciate the body's true form, moving beyond superficial judgments.
- Redefining beauty: Through art, Lily disassociates the body from labels like 'fat' or 'thin', finding a more interesting perspective.
- Beauty as expression: For Lily, appearance is a constant source of fun and self-expression, not a primary source of anxiety.
My look is a given, a constant. For me it’s a source of fun and expression.
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Embracing Authentic Beauty
Lily Dean's story highlights the power of self-acceptance and redefining beauty on one's own terms. Through her art and personal philosophy, she encourages us to celebrate our natural bodies and find joy in self-expression. Her journey inspires a shift from external pressures to an inner confidence, proving that true beauty is about embracing who you authentically are.