I'm 51. I wore my first bikini on my 46th birthday. As a young woman I covered up, seeing myself as too thin and unappealing. Actually, I had a slammin' body, but I didn't know.

We grew up with a toxic beauty culture and it's hard to shake. I've honestly just become defiant. I wear what I want and if people don't like it, the can look the fuck away.

I finally like how I look. I'm not perfect. I still have a big ass. I have stretch marks and cellulite. Whatever.

You're not "not bad for 53," you're fabulous as you, no age qualifiers, no apologies, just fabulous!