I don’t think I’m paranoid that people quietly think them. I may not always know when, but I know the sight of my stomach triggers people’s insecurities.
One time I saw a woman with a stomach as big as an exercise ball in a crop top, and I’ve aspired to rock out as shamelessly as she did in her fully exposed stomach ever since.
This matters to me: I don’t think she was pregnant. And I feel that means she didn’t need a pregnancy as “excuse” to know she’s entitled to proudly showing off her belly.
Btw, I think we’ve got to depict bellies as a sexy part of the body more. Even on abs, imo, a little pudge can look nice.
It reminds me a lot of how queer people sometimes intentionally cross societal norms because it feels liberating to realise that you can just do that, there aren’t actual rules against it.
You can also start experimenting with wearing crop tops in public spaces where it isn’t too weird to have your belly be exposed, like near a beach or pool. Or do short walks outside in croptop to get used to the feeling.