Embrace Your Stretch Marks With The @LoveYourLines Instagram Account

As negative as social media tends to be at times, every now and then someone thinks of something unbelievably inspirational and heartwarming to support people as opposed to bullying them. Two mothers decided to start an Instagram account called @LoveYourLines to share what a post-pregnancy body really looks like.

The account put out a call for submissions and women started sharing hundreds of stories. Every post shows how women of different backgrounds, ages and weight came to encounter the tiger stripes. This is one of the best self-acceptance accounts you will ever come across.

With summer just around the corner, you can hear women and even yourself worrying about body image perfection, and I believe I couldn’t have across this account at a more perfect time.

No one is ever safe when it comes to stretch marks, you can find them on girls going through a growth phase

“I have struggled with loving my body because of these stretch marks I have. I have had them since I was around 13 years old. Growing up I hated my body because other girls my age did not have these marks & I felt like something was wrong with me. Especially when guys my age used to ask “aren’t you too young to have those” or “your butt would look so nice without them.” Now I am comfortable with my body.” submitted by: @ashaugxo

A photo posted by #loveyourlines (@loveyourlines) on Dec 21, 2014 at 12:13pm PST

"I'm 21 years old. I started getting these lines as young as 12. I was embarrassed because I was always told they were ugly. As I've matured over the years, I realized that these imperfections that God has blessed us with are simply beautiful. It took some time, but today I can say that I'm completely confident with my body and these lines. I'm happy."

A photo posted by #loveyourlines (@loveyourlines) on Nov 3, 2014 at 6:38am PST

Or a supermodel

repost from the lovely @chrissyteigen! we #loveyourlines. #stretchmarks | #beauty

A photo posted by #loveyourlines (@loveyourlines) on Apr 16, 2015 at 12:09pm PDT

Or someone who has always been described as skinny

"I came across your page & came to tears reading story after story relating with many. Who knew I wasn't the only "skinny" 20 something dealing with these lines. I'm a soon to be 21 year old who is confident in her clothes & style. I'm the gal that always spread the words of loving oneself & owning your confidence in your beautiful god given skin. When all said I'm also the gal that comes home undresses and cries because these lines won't leave me. I'm 110 lbs, I've always been thin but since I was in highschool I notice these lines how they got here I'll never know but I'm learning everyday to own them. Do they scare me for the future when I decide to be fruitful and multiply yes, but as I read all these stories these lines interpret as Beauty Marks, screw them. We are beautiful women with beautiful skin, whether they tell a story or are just simply due to growth let's own them. We are all beautifully marked."

A photo posted by #loveyourlines (@loveyourlines) on Nov 9, 2014 at 9:20am PST

They could be a symbol of creating life

"After miss carrying twice and finally birthing my beautiful seven month old daughter I still struggled with how it made me look. I'm proud of my stretch marks, I'd take a million more for her. There are many women out there whom wish they could have them." submitted by @queenmamata

A photo posted by #loveyourlines (@loveyourlines) on Dec 5, 2014 at 10:28am PST

"I've been hiding these for eight years. I realize now I have nothing to be embarrassed of. My kids are the most amazing part of my life and I'm blessed to have been able to carry healthy babies to full term with this body."

A photo posted by #loveyourlines (@loveyourlines) on Apr 22, 2015 at 7:04am PDT

Or a woman who never got pregnant  

"I'm a 22 year old woman. I have never been pregnant. I have lines on my hips and breasts. They appeared after I started with the birth control pill and my boobs started to grow like crazy. I have recently lost more than 10 kg and my breasts have started to sag a bit and the lines are becoming more clear now. But I have learned to accept them and they do not make me less beautiful than I am. I am proud of my boobs and my body served me well so far. I've put it through a lot and these lines make me ME."

A photo posted by #loveyourlines (@loveyourlines) on Nov 26, 2014 at 1:13pm PST

Maybe even someone with an autoimmune disease

"At age 13 I was diagnosed with an autoimmune kidney disease called Polyarteritis Nodosa. – a complicated illness which had to be treated with high levels of cortisone, which caused the Cushing's Syndrome. The disease left my body covered with stretch marks; arms, legs, hips, breasts – all over. But I survived! My stretch marks will always remind me that I survived and was given one more chance in life. And I want that life to be full of happiness and love – despite my stretch marks."

A photo posted by #loveyourlines (@loveyourlines) on Dec 16, 2014 at 7:19pm PST

Whatever your story is with stretch marks, love and embrace them, for each line tells a story.

WE SAID THIS: For more beautiful tiger stripe photos, follow the Instagram account @LoveYourLines.