In a world obsessed with narrow beauty standards fueled by media, advertising, and social platforms, it can be hard to see and love your body for what it truly is. It feels like all the books that go viral on BookTok and Bookstagram feature some 26 year old size 2, zero body fat, with huge boobs and a round ass. She’s ridiculously bendy and has the ideal beauty standards popular in western societies, aka the beauty standard of white supremacy. 

But here’s the truth: body diversity is beautiful, and every single body deserves love and acceptance. The journey toward body positivity starts within—by practicing self-love and embracing your unique shape and size.

Our bodies come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities. There’s no one “ideal” look—only the incredible variety of human bodies. Society often promotes a limited idea of beauty, but the reality is that every body has worth. Whether you have a small frame, luscious curves, scars from life, or are navigating disability, your body is an essential part of your identity.

Celebrating this diversity is key to building a more inclusive world—and to your own self-acceptance.

Many of us carry internalized societal messages that promote shame, making it hard to love ourselves. Book covers often show ‘perfect’ bodies that are unrealistic and unrepresentative, if I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard authors complaining that they can’t find plus size stock images. Comparing yourself to these images can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Past criticisms, whether from peers or family, also contribute to negative body image.

In a world obsessed with narrow beauty standards—think tiny waists, zero body fat, and boobs so big they have their own zip codes—it’s honestly exhausting. Seriously, if I had a dollar for every BookTok or Bookstagram viral book featuring some 26-year-old size 2 with a six-pack, a round butt, and bendy flexibility that’s borderline superhero stuff, I’d be buying islands by now. It’s like the “perfect” bookish body is a white, Western, societal fantasy that’s basically a cookie cutter nobody actually looks like.

But here’s the real deal: body diversity is so much more beautiful than any airbrushed Instagram filter or viral TikTok star. Every single body on this planet deserves love—whether you’re rocking some stretch marks, an apron belly, scars from life’s adventures, or navigating disability. Your body is part of your story and who you are, and it’s time we stop pretending there’s just one “ideal.”

Celebrating all kinds of bodies isn’t just some ‘nice’ thing to do—it’s essential for building a world where everyone feels seen and accepted. We’ve all internalized some level of society’s nonsense, and it’s easy to look at those glossy book covers or scroll through Instagram and start thinking, “Ugh, why do I look like this, and why isn’t that image more ‘normal’?” If I had a nickel for every time I heard an author complain about the difficulty of finding realistic, plus-size book covers, I’d probably be sipping margaritas on a yacht somewhere, on the island I already bought with all those dollars. Comparing yourself to those impossible standards? Yeah, I see you—been there, done that, bought the emotional distress T-shirt.

The first step is recognizing these barriers and challenging them consciously.

Practical Ways to Embrace Your Body

1. Practice Daily Affirmations
   Start each day by telling yourself something positive. Focus on your body’s strengths, like “I am grateful for my legs that carry me,” or “My smile is beautiful.”

2. Limit Harmful Media
   Follow body-positive influencers and accounts that showcase beautiful diversity in appearance and lifestyle. Unfollow or mute content that triggers negative feelings.

3. Wear Clothes That Make You Feel Good
   Clothing is a form of self-expression. Select outfits that reflect your style and boost your confidence—comfort over conformity.

4. Celebrate Movement and Health
   Engage in activities you love—dancing, swimming, hiking—not as a way to change your body but to honor what it can do.

If you struggle with deep-seated shame or trauma related to body image please make sure you are talking about this with your therapist, but also, consider these approaches:

Cultivating Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Challenge negative self-talk by asking, “Would I say this to a friend?” Focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it's self-acceptance. Recognize that every small step counts. If you’re learning to love your body, celebrate the victories, no matter how tiny they seem.

The power of community and support looks like surrounding yourself with people who uplift and support body diversity. Join online or local body-positive communities, share your journey, and listen to others' stories. Supporting each other creates an environment where everyone feels valued.

Challenging societal standards can look like using your voice to advocate for representation of all body types in media, fashion, and advertising. Small acts—like complimenting someone’s style or speaking out against unrealistic beauty ideals—can create ripples of change.

Don’t think I forgot to add the Romancelandia lens here, these novels are more than escapism—they can be tools for body validation. Reading stories with diverse MCs who love and desire themselves creates a sense of possibility and acceptance for your own body. Seeing characters with different body types celebrated for their confidence and sensuality helps solidify the idea that all bodies are worthy of love and pleasure.

I remember the first book I read with a plus size heroine, and the first book I read that had spicy times with a plus size FMC. I was like…skrrrrr…wait, people actually have sex in plus size bodies. Granted I was young and had been conditioned to believe that my body was undesirable, repulsive even. But the more I read books with fat FMCs, the more I unlearned that, you know what, fat girls fuck. 

So my non-exhaustive list of books I LOVE that have plus size FMCs

Like all of Olivia Dade’s books, let’s just get that straight right now.

The Brown Sisters Trilogy and The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert

Whirlwind by Kayla Grosse (for fans of Twister)

The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez

Curvy Girl Summer and Plus Size Player (good LORDT THIS ONE IS HAWT-If ‘talk her through it was a man”) by Danielle Allen

My Best Friends Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner 

At Her Feet by Rebekah Weatherspoon

For Her Consideration by Amy Spalding

• Today, look in the mirror and find one thing you love about your body. Say it aloud or write it down. 

• Follow at least one body-positive influencer or account on social media. 

• Try a new activity that makes you feel joy and gratitude for your body—dancing, stretching, or simply taking a walk. 

• Read a romance novel featuring diverse body types. Notice how the characters love themselves and others—including their bodies.

Embracing all body types is a journey, and it’s different for everyone. Be patient and gentle with yourself—self-love isn’t a destination, but an ongoing process. Start with small acts each day: look in the mirror and find one thing you love about your body, or replace a negative thought with a positive one.

Remember, your body is your home—cherish it, celebrate it, and let it be a source of pride.

Your worth isn’t measured by how well you conform to society’s standards. It’s rooted in who you are—beautiful, whole, and enough.

You are rare. You are beautiful. You are deserving of love—just as you are.