# #IntroduceYourself
Hey Steemers! My name is Marissa and I first heard about Steemit from a friend who thought it’d be a great way for me to share my content with more people. I love the concept and I’m pumped to contribute. I actually got my start as a content creator on Medium.com, so I know the power of a good platform and what it can do for you. 
 <center>http://www.yourbreastself.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/marissa_hastings_cropped.jpg</center>

# Why Am I Here? 
I live to create and inspire. This has come together for me recently in the form of my latest venture, [Your Breast Self](http://www.yourbreastself.com/). Your Breast Self is a social movement dedicated to empowering small-breasted women with body image insecurities and reshaping the way society views breasts. You can think of it as kind of like the opposite of the "real women with curves" body image campaigns. 

Your Breast Self was inspired by my own personal journey with self-acceptance. I am 5’1 and very petite, and along with that comes petite breasts. However rather than see my breasts as proportional to the rest of my body, I always saw them as my biggest flaw. I spent most of my life highly insecure about my breasts and wishing they were different. Because I was so insecure, I always thought that I would get breast implants. Many of the women in my family had them, and I thought I would do the same.  But recently, I’ve experienced a shift in my mindset that has helped me change the way I view myself. I can now say that I no longer want breast implants (in fact the idea seems utterly crazy to me now). And I can say that I feel confident with my figure in a way that I never have before.  

How did this happen? Well, it wasn’t an overnight change by any means. My shift in mindset was the result of a long personal journey, and there many contributing factors. You can learn more about my personal journey [here](https://steemit.com/life/@marissah/why-i-decided-not-to-get-breast-implants).

<p><center>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otOsUzmeu30</center></p>

# My Vision
Now that I’ve reached this point in my own journey, I want to help other women with breast insecurities do the same. As part of this, I run a site called [YourBreastSelf.com](http://www.yourbreastself.com/small-breasted-women/), where I provide style and body-love advice for small-breasted women. My goal is to share my own lessons and insights within a trusted community of women so that I can help others avoid the shame that I’ve experienced. I would love to share my knowledge and inspire others within the Steemit community as well.

Please note that my aim is *not* to condemn plastic surgery. I will never judge anyone for getting breast implants. If something truly makes you happy and a better version of you, then by all means, go do it.

Yet, what I will say is, what I dislike about breast augmentation is that oftentimes women are driven to get it by shame, not by self-love. They get surgery because they feel like they *have* to in order to feel good about themselves (note: *have to* is very different than I *choose to*). 

Breast augmentation can end up being really positive for some women, especially those with breast deformities or who have survived cancer. However, for the thousands of other women out there like me, my goal is to inspire them to see themselves in a new light — one that isn’t distorted by the media, plastic surgery, or aspirational brand campaigns. 

The [feedback](http://www.yourbreastself.com/testimonials/) I’ve received so far has been phenomenal, and it inspires me to keep going. I would love to use Steemit to spread my message to even more women (and men). It’s time to redefine the approach to beauty and teach women that beauty is a mindset that we each have the power to define. If you have female friends who you think would benefit, tell them to check out my writing or send them my way. You can reach me directly at Marissa@yourbreastself.com.

And so you know I'm legit: 
<center>http://www.yourbreastself.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-26-at-10.26.46-AM-e1472221906546.png</center>