Size Doesn't Matter: Let's Stop Defining Ourselves By A Number On A Tag

If your closet is anything like mine, you have clothes of all different sizes. I’ve got smalls, mediums, larges, extra larges, etc. And although my size exists on a spectrum, I am almost always a 12 or 14.

The funny thing is, if I fit into a piece of clothing or need to size down to a size below these numbers, I instantly feel happy and proud of myself. If I have to size up, I feel less than, and often times ashamed. For the longest time I would refuse to size up out of pride. Even if the smaller size didn’t fit well, I’d convince myself that I was going to “loose the weight” to fit into said item (this is the WORST). And if I did muster up the courage to buy the larger size, I’d cut the tags off, and feel disgusted with myself every time I wore the piece.

About 6 months ago I purchased a size 14 top, and it was too small. When I realized it didn’t fit, I nearly broke down into tears. I felt so humiliated. I knew that if I wanted the shirt to fit I would need to order a size 16, and I refused to do that because that would be “accepting” that I was a size 16 (this is what I call size-up scaries). The incident ruined my entire evening.

The opposite happened when I tried on this blue gingham dress. I ordered a size 12 Tall, and it was HUGE. I found myself getting really happy and excited that I needed to exchange the dress for 1 or 2 sizes down….but why? I hadn’t lost any weight. I’ve actually gained a few lbs lately due to non-stop vacations and treat-yoself days??, even though I do workout regularly. I hadn’t accomplished some big feat or changed the world…I just happened to need a smaller dress size.

So it got me thinking. Why do we let something as small as a number on a tag effect us so much? I see this with some of my closest friends and loved ones, and it’s something almost everyone does subconsciously. Sure, if we’re trying to lose weight, getting down to a specific size can feel satisfying…but it shouldn’t make or break us.

A size is just a way to help us understand how a piece of clothing will fit our body based off of inconsistent measurement references. It’s a number. It does not define our worth, and shouldn’t determine our happiness.

So starting today, I refuse to be defined by a number on a tag. The next time I try something on in my “normal size” and it’s too small, I will happily size up. And when I need to size down, I will take it with a grain of salt.

I will remember that no matter what size I’m wearing, I am worthy of love and respect. We all are.

Let’s stop defining ourselves by a number on a tag. Will you join me?