Self-respect comes in many sizes

I have the love of my partner, no matter my age, size, or fitness. For a woman who obsessed over size and fitness all my life, this is extraordinary. 

I could indeed stop caring about my fitness and my weight and I know he would love me.

But that is not the point. I care for me. I care enough about me to stay fit and to watch what I eat. I want to like me. I want to feel comfortable in my skin. I like feeling strong and fit. It is for me that I do the things I do. 

Not for anyone else. Not for approval. 

But because I like feeling this way, and I am willing to pay the price of daily actions.

I witness my father trash his health and self-care to a degree that is hard to comprehend. I wonder about self-respect. What it takes.

Self-respect comes in many sizes. Not just health, adornment, and presentation to the world. It comes with living within your means. Doing to others as you would have them do to you. Being kind to self. Creating strong self-discipline and equally strong boundaries. Staying fluent within a rapidly changing world. 

I wonder sincerely what it is that allows people to care less about their presentation to the world. To actually not care at all about personal hygiene. 

This question is worthy of pursuing. 

Photo Taken December 2nd, Article published December 2nd 2025