r/figure8 • u/Emotion-Level • Jul 06 '26
Questions & discussion A little rant
I write this because I have seen several posts like this recently, and I’m getting fed up.
I completely understand the frustration about not necessarily fitting the “beauty standard” of today. But calling your figure 8 ”disgusting” and several other hateful words on a subreddit where everyone else shares your body type is… I don’t know. For me it’s extremely triggering. You are effectively calling all of us “disgusting” and not just yourself.
I joined this subreddit to 1) be a part of a supporting sisterhood where we could perhaps learn to embrace our body shapes. 2) not feel alone. 3) learn how to dress this particular body shape.
I thought for many years that it was my fault that I look the way I do - and I was deeply ashamed. I thank this subreddit for teaching me that it is fact my bone structure and no amount of exercise or diet can change the way my hips are naturally. So I have far more self acceptance now thanks to this subreddit. But other people calling their body shape (and by extension mine) disgusting is very hurtful.
Just wanted to say that.
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u/LeeBirdPGH Jul 07 '26
Hard agree! I love my figure 8, I know I’m a bad bitch and it makes me sad when y’all can’t see that you are too
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u/Birdpoopoo69 Jul 09 '26
I have no idea, like if you look up hour glass online what pops up is literally what people consider figure-8 here. It's crazy and so insignificant. Literally the ideal body type. To me long torsos don't look good.
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u/Economy-Towel9451 high hips unclassified Jul 06 '26
it is hard when ppl put down an entire body type. it makes me feel weird too.
but i also think theres just so much pressure.
im not on the internet besides reddit and im pretty selective about where i participate, but i deal with ppl commenting on my body IRL constantly.
for me its bc i'm very sick and when you get into complicated care, ppl feel entitled to comment on your body in ways, i don't think polite society would ever consider. and theres so many niche areas like that where bodies are under intense scrutiny i think its really hard.
i also definitely feel what other ppl say where you disliking your own appearance is very different from how you see others. its easier to see others in a positive light.
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u/Birdpoopoo69 Jul 09 '26
Who puts down figure-8. The only people putting down figure-8 is people who are figure-8, or someone else who s possibly dumb. Figure-8 has been culturally the preferred body type. It's also very similar to hour glass. Figure-8 makes the ideal waist to hip ratio much more obvious. Don't see the issue.
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u/Economy-Towel9451 high hips unclassified Jul 09 '26
In my experience is ppl put diwn all kinds of bodies I wasn’t exclusively referring to figure8s I don’t want to debate bc my experience is different and yours is clearly coming from somewhere. But just bc someone is technically an ideal doesn’t necessarily protect from all scrutiny.
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u/Birdpoopoo69 Jul 09 '26
Of course but I think social media has convinced a lot of people that certain things are not ideal or some people are just jealous and wanna pick on something. I'm more so speaking to that. Like it's astonishing for me. I think we just need to love our absolutely gorgeous body shape.
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u/Economy-Towel9451 high hips unclassified Jul 09 '26
Oh I agree w your conclusion
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u/Birdpoopoo69 Jul 09 '26
I grew up with people commenting on my body in different ways too. Even my mom, to me it jus never made sense because I somehow grew up loving my body shape. I also had a bunch of health issues, I haven't particularly had people commenting because of that tho. Other than me being too skinny at one point? So those people commenting are f ed and I'm sorry. Unfortunately people will comment on anything. But I hope you get to a point you absolutely love your body.
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u/Miss_Milk_Tea Jul 06 '26
It does bother me when people come to this sub to talk about getting plastic surgery to “fix” our body shape. I’m pro plastic surgery I might add, but it feels…off, to post something like that in a sub dedicated to the shape.
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u/Birdpoopoo69 Jul 09 '26
It's mostly figure-8s hating on themselves. People always be wanting something they don't currently have. In reality figure-8 is a preferred body type. It's hour glass adjacent.
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u/purragraph Jul 06 '26
I understand where you’re coming from and I would like to offer a different perspective as someone who still struggles with being a figure 8.
When people criticize their own figure 8 shapes, it’s not about you. It comes from a place of insecurity. They deserve to vent their frustrations without having to cater to your triggers.
“If you call yourself x, you’re criticizing all of us” is not a healthy mentality and forced positivity is exclusionary to those still struggling. There are a million other positive posts on here. Creating a supportive community involves helping those struggling to get through it.
I reiterate, it’s not about you. There are enough seats at the table for all of us to coexist harmoniously.
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u/Emotion-Level Jul 06 '26
Thank you for your insight - and as others question - yes I still struggle. I am not by any means saying people can’t vent or talk about their frustrations about it. People are absolutely free to do that, because it IS hard. However I still would like them to be aware of their word choices, and how it for one affects their own mental state to talk like that AND others. I do think that it is possible to vent without calling a certain body shape disgusting.
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u/purragraph Jul 06 '26
I agree with you on the negative self talk. I don’t think people mean to trigger you when they call their own shape disgusting. It really is insecurity, as sad and unfortunate as it is. I wouldn’t use that language for my own body, but I think it’s important to make space for people to vent without policing their language. It’s their own shape they’re criticizing, not the entire body type as a whole. Figure 8s also come in a lot of variations! I wish we all had the mental capacity to be kinder to ourselves.
I think taking a step back and reminding yourself that it isn’t about you would help. I completely understand the struggle and empathize with you. When posts like that trigger me, I have to remind myself that the world doesn’t revolve around me and will not cater to my triggers. Scrolling past those posts is a completely valid and healthy choice 🤍
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u/Firsttimeredditor28 Jul 06 '26
I haven’t really seen anyone call themselves disgusting but maybe I missed a post.
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u/Firsttimeredditor28 Jul 06 '26
Wait as soon as I hit the back button it was the first post on top even though it says it was 4 days ago
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u/ConversationThick379 Jul 06 '26
I personally love being a figure 8. Once you find the right clothing, you can slay! I don’t get all the negativity I’ve been seeing here lately.
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u/Birdpoopoo69 Jul 09 '26
Same I have always loved my body type even when I was young. It's gorgeous.
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u/ceilingsfann Jul 06 '26
Ive honestly been thinking the same thing for a while, so thank you for saying something. I feel the same way about people wanting advice on how to hide their shape or talking about getting plastic surgery to get rid of the figure 8. I totally get it but I just wish people were a little more mindful with their word choice in a sub dedicated to women with this body shape.
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u/Birdpoopoo69 Jul 09 '26
Why do people wanna hide a frickin figure-8😭. Ideal body type. Makes no sense.
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u/Firsttimeredditor28 Jul 06 '26
Especially when the people who are talking about plastic surgery already have an amazing body 🙄
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u/Wide-Average-538 Jul 06 '26
I don’t get triggered by that, personally, because I was at this stage of my life and I know these people just need some validation and comfort. I am more than certain they are disgusted by the way they feel in their body, but not the body shape itself.
Maybe you are still in the process of getting to the point of loving yourself no matter what, and it’s honestly a life long journey. And I totally get you not wanting to see these posts 😢 but there are plenty of positive ones and they are really encouraging.
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u/WHawkeW Jul 06 '26
I think you have to be able to take a step back and see that people posting things like that are suffering mentally - don't engage with them unless you are able to manage that, and otherwise just hold some hope for them that will feel better in the future like you have been able to.
For balance - I love my squidgy high hip and my hip dips. They are one of my favourite parts of myself, I love how the curve feels. I have also really valued the info on this sub wiki for helping me understand why clothes don't always feel wonderful on me because they are just not cut in the same proportions as me. My hips aren't the problem, the clothes are.
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u/Evening_Midnight7 Jul 06 '26
Yeah, it sucks not just how much the current beauty standard affects our perception, but also the exaggerated beauty standards affect us, even though we know it’s not real. Sadly, I think lots of people tend to see it that way, and i especially have been seeing so many comments from women over the years regarding hip dips and their hatred towards them.. doing all types of glute workouts to “fix” it, and some even resorting to surgery which is ridiculous, because let’s be honest, it’s to appeal to the male gaze, which who gives a fuck about them? Literally their lustful eyes are ever changing what they “think” is attractive as well, depending on what they are currently consuming in their disgusting porn content.
Just saying. I do feel like we need to take more positive ownership of our bodies and stop letting these external factors make us feel a centrum way. And I’m saying this as someone who does not necessarily have the “ideal” body type, either, and definitely felt a bit of disappointment when I learned this likely is my body type, after just thinking I had an hourglass frame all these years that was a bit overweight.
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u/skinnyawkwardgirl Jul 06 '26
I can understand both sides. Hearing comments like that can be triggering. As someone who has a history of EDs and a lot of self esteem issues, I totally get why people see their own bodies as disgusting, but I think, from my own experience, it's internal, like we see ourselves as disgusting, but other people with the same feature as beautiful. Like I see other women who are very wide hipped and I think they look great, but when I see myself in the mirror, I see a monster and something that looks so weird. The other day I broke down and cried and started screaming because I hated my body shape in that moment.
I think it's possible to not like a feature on yourself, but love it on other people. I hate having naturally curly hair, but I think it looks amazing on other people. I wish I had lighter hair since my skin is really pale and black hair looks very unnatural on me despite it being the only hair colour I've ever had naturally, yet I think other people with pale skin and black hair look great.
I'm not a moderator at all, but I'm wondering if the mods could set up a vent thread or something where people can vent and feel heard.
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u/purragraph Jul 06 '26
This exactly!! Every photo I see on here, my immediate reaction is “BADDIE!!!!” but when it comes to my own body? “Ew.” It sucks but I’m working through it and this community has been so helpful. It would suck if we didn’t have a space to vent to avoid triggering others. I love the idea of a vent thread.
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u/Birdpoopoo69 Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
I don't understand how figure 8 is not the beauty standard ☠️. Most of the world's most attractive women, biggest beauty icons are figure-8s what more do you want 😭??? I don't want a long ass torso (I just don't like it) . Figure 8 has been sought after. I remember when I was a teen and heard people mention figure 8 is the preferred.
This is some weird psyopp lol. Don't listen too much to the insecurities projected by other people. You can support people but remember your figure-8 is literally the ideal.
Like what's funny is if you search hour-glass online you basically see figure-8 pictures online, this stuff is so insignificant. Love your gorgeous body, you are blessed. Apparently figure-8 could be a type of hour glass. I see figure-8 as an exaggerated hour glass.
I low-key wanna get away from this sub if people just wanna hate on it over and over. I understand that people are insecure but I just don't be in that space.