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So glad, you are owning it now. It is weird how long it takes to learn to love ourselves fully, right?!

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Thanks, Melanie! In fact - shhhh! - a lot of the time it's still a work in progress - I do still have my moments! But just the act of writing this has made me feel very much more positive about my size!

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Good for you! Making peace with ourselves shouldn't require so much effort, yet it's one of life's ongoing struggles. I used to be self-conscious about my height (5'10) and muscular build until I decided to embrace it and focus on the things it enables me to do. It's an amazing feeling letting all that other stuff go.

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There are certainly some advantages to being tall and muscular!!! :D

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I don't understand something. How could these people have mistaken you for a bloke? Did they only look at your shoulders (which don't even look that broad to me)? Anyway, well done for becoming more accepting of yourself.

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LOL! A sideways angle works wonders to disguise them! To be honest most of my misgendered moments have been when I've been wearing a coat. Men's jackets (I've not found a ladies' one to fit my shoulders in thirty years) don't really help the cause, I'll be honest!

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I hadn't realized you had your own publication here on substack until today! So I am starting at the beginning to see what you have to say and enjoy your progress. This was a charming piece. Your sense of humor is beginning to come through. And the self portrait was priceless! Go Rebecca.

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I'm so glad you're checking it out, Sharron - thank you!

I had such fun writing this piece. I'm planning what I hope will be an amusing follow-up fairly soon about how (PLOT SPOILER!) campsite showers are not built for tall people...

And guess what? The barman at a pub just last evening asked me: 'What can I get you, mate... I mean, ma.... I mean, what would you like?' Poor chap went absolutely scarlet, while I just laughed! I didn't get a free drink this time but he apologised very sweetly.

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this was so great!

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Thanks so much, Alex! 🤣

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