No matter how many articles we pen, how many campaigns we run, and how many hashtags reading #loveyourbody or #stopbodyshaming trend on social media, the fact is that we haven’t stopped giving our unsolicited advice to others when it comes to their body.
“Itna vajan badh gaya hai, gym q nhi jaati?” or “Face itna kharaab dikh raha hai, kuch karti q nhi?” are often the opening statements when we meet people who don’t fit into the ‘perfect body type’ criteria. But sadly, we fail to understand that such people don’t usually have a choice.
Resonating with this thought, a woman named Pranjal took to Twitter to share her two cents. Like every other girl, Pranjal was also acne-prone and it just blew up. Her face got covered with redness and bumps, and believe me they’re painful AF!
However, everyone, especially her relatives, seemed concerned about how her “achi bhali shakal kharab hogayi”. But does she give a flying chappal? Certainly not!
Now that people see me, especially my relatives, after my face got filled with acne they legit start with “kese hua yeh beta” “doctor ko dikhao”
“Achi Bhali shakal kharab hogayi”And the best part is I still don’t give a flying chappal. pic.twitter.com/zEWTDISgWr
— pranjal (@pringlesforfree) November 1, 2021
In the Twitter thread, she went on to explain that no one chooses a painful life.
What annoys me is the fact that these people think they have the right to comment on someone’s appearance or make them feel like it’s a disease. True that having acne is painful sometimes you need to consult a doctor. NOT BECAUSE YOU LOOK UGLY HUT BECAUSE IT HURTS. same goes –
— pranjal (@pringlesforfree) November 1, 2021
She further shared how, at a family function, she received an enormous amount of advice regarding its cure and home remedies. And the fact that no one checked on her besides commenting on her acne-filled face is just alarming.
I am not writing all of this because I feel bad but because yesterday when I went to a wedding the amount of remedies that people told me to cure my acne and “get rid of these scars” was astronomical. This is not even out courtesy but straight up rude.
— pranjal (@pringlesforfree) November 1, 2021
Interestingly, as her post went viral online, people with similar conditions also shared their stories of how they were body-shamed.
I had the same kind of acne a few years ago and believe you me, the way people look at you, pass comments on you, just makes you think that this is some kind of disease. https://t.co/PlS56nHmfE
— vikram kumar (@vikramkumar6367) November 1, 2021
I don’t have the clearest picture but 3-4 years ago i had grade 3 cystic acne, almost my whole face was filled w cysts, bleeding & fluids leaking randomly
People will say what they want, it shouldn’t change your confidence in yourself & these acne obv won’t remain forever https://t.co/F52viM6oW1 pic.twitter.com/OADrSJZJJN— Ritvik #ThankYouMiura (@chauhxnr) November 1, 2021
the way i can relate to this ughhh cuz i get to hear 'achi bhali shakal kharab hogayi' almost at every family gathering and now i try to avoid going to any of those cuz it sure has fkd my confidence up https://t.co/SST5mwurke
— shubh // (@shubhh_jain) November 1, 2021
When I had acne, a relative commented "you were so beautiful" implying that I no longer was. Now that my skin is clear I've not once been told that I am beautiful😅. Certain people will find ways to put you down to make themselves feel better. It's not you, it's them. Sad life.🤷🏻 https://t.co/wp7QsRyPCl
— Mahwaish (@mahwaish) November 1, 2021
Gosh this is so insanely relatable. I too have acne problems and people are so damn rude sometimes with "haww yeh kya hogaya" as if they are seeing something so unnatural. It takes my self confidence to lowest of lows even though i try my best to ignore them most times. https://t.co/vmMx1Yemls
— Riyaa ✨ (@ItsMeRiya_) November 1, 2021
They do it for complexion as well https://t.co/OUshj870wR
— Devikaa (@devikaamathur) November 1, 2021
thank your stars you don't have vitiligo warna shaadiya, bazaar, malls, metro har jagah logo se sunne milta 😂 recently one man in himachal came to me n said aap ko jo ye hai uske liye kali mirch khao khali pet subah..i said thanks bhaiya apne ganja ki patti chabne nhi bola. https://t.co/qzYo1VBujk
— bruv (@goatwati) November 1, 2021
They make u feel like u don't belong with them but I didn't care what they said. https://t.co/ijUQ5bsPNE
— Manav 🏏 (@CricCrazy281) November 1, 2021
There were many who rooted for her too.
More power to you girl!!
Acne is pretty normal. I struggle with acne too, but here people litteally makes your acne 1000× harder for you. https://t.co/kUTBkYrsMI— Rimshaaa (@Okayrimsha) November 1, 2021
And keep giving flying chappal because you are the most beautiful ❤️ and no one has the right to give any validation .. tell them to see a doctor as they have a black and dirty heart 😘 https://t.co/e3hhxp7QQE
— 𝒢𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒶𝓂𝒾 💫❤️ (@bornsavageme) November 1, 2021
People need to “READ” this thread..! “IMPORTANT” https://t.co/Lgyqge5Mf6
— 𝙼𝚛. 𝙺𝚞𝚗𝚊𝚏𝚊💫✨ (@shukran_habibi) November 1, 2021
You are still very pretty and beautiful ❤️❤️🥺🥺🥺
More power to you girl🙌
Love this attitude of yours people need to develop in them so they can live peacefully in their lives ❤️❤️🙌 https://t.co/4RuCWOQV9R— 🌚 (@Shraddh03489789) November 1, 2021
This level of confidence and positivity I wanna have❤🌻 https://t.co/PhBvDbF1vS
— Fiyoo-niiii❌ (@fiyoni_25) November 1, 2021
But, much to our surprise, there were also some who trolled her for being brutally honest.
Why people can't even take a sincere advice and get pissed off when someone politely said
"Kese huwa beta get it checked up by Doctor" it's same if someone advice when you are sick but just because it's about your face now it shouldn't trigger you. https://t.co/3i8Jxa9fx5— Talib (@MissterBrown) November 1, 2021
Well, now you know what people going through such a phase in their life need from you- no unsolicited advice, no sympathy, just a little more space.