Take a diss and turn it into discourse

“Take a diss and turn it into discourse that will encourage us all to see beyond desirability”

The above quote is one of my favourites! It comes from one of my icons, The Slumflower – aka, Chidera Eggerue. Founder of the #SAGGYBOOBSMATTER movement and writer of bestselling book What A Time To Be Alone, this absolute girl boss has honestly changed my. Not only that, but she has had such a huge impact on so many other women too.

She teaches us to love ourselves, to know our worth and to be more than just a desirable object. She might be young, but she is wise beyond her years. I believe she is honestly going to change the world.

I have unknowingly lived by the quote for the last four years. In fact, I consider myself somewhat of an expert at taking a diss and turning it into discourse.

As someone who has been bullied a lot, on more than one occasion I have used this nastiness to create content online and open up a discussion to try and bring about change. Some of the topics for which I have included domestic violence, eating disorders, body positivity, self love and boobs.   

Body positivity and self love are two topics I’m really passionate about. If people try and tear me down, aka diss me, I turn it into a very open and public conversation online, aka discourse. When people call me fat, I create content about it. If people troll me online about my looks and body, I create content about it. When people make fun of my boobs, I make content about it. Taking a diss and turning it into discourse not only works, but has helped me to establish my passions. It’s helped me to discover what I’m good at and helped me to build a career, too.       

“I have used this nastiness to create content online and open up a discussion to try and bring about change”     

It’s funny that my looks are the first thing people go to when they want to insult me. They are so quick to tell me I’m fat or ugly. That my boobs are saggy, or that I just generally look gross. Whilst upsetting at the time, I turn that hurt into words and share my creations online. It then almost always turns out to be some of my most popular and successful content! Furthermore, it opens up important conversation with dozens of women.

Women who have been through what I’ve been through, or maybe still are. Women who want to learn how to ignore the trolls, learn to love themselves and accept their bodies. The pain I go through, the hurt I deal with, I turn into love and compassion. I use it to fuel me to help others. I think that’s really something, even if I do say so myself.   

More of us need to take these words from Chidera on board and turn disses into discourse. Opening up conversations about otherwise taboo subjects – like boobs – really does help to implement positive change. It is something that we should all try to play a part in. I will definitely continue to take a diss and turn it into discourse! Not just for my own gain, but to help others too! I want to help educate and encourage women – and men – everywhere, of all ages, to embrace the skin they’re in and learn to love themselves.   

Love from,

Florence Grace