Liva

For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with body image and dysmorphia. Growing up surrounded by athletic, muscular bodies, I always felt like I didn’t measure up.​​ The silence around male body image drove me into a deep depression.

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It’s something we as men rarely talk about, but it’s real, and it runs deep.

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Over time, I’ve shifted from chasing body positivity to finding body acceptance. I’ve learned to appreciate my body for what it does, not just how it looks.

 

It’s carried me through everything — stress, grief, joy, all of it. I’m learning to be grateful for my body, and I’m grateful to The Human Gallery for creating such a liberating experience.

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It reminded me that acceptance doesn’t have to be loud or perfect — sometimes it’s just quietly saying:

 

   Thank you, body, for still being here.   I’ll never take that for granted.