Okay, I need to be honest. I would like to consider myself a plus size travel blogger because I am both plus size and a travel blogger. But I’m not sure that I can say that, because there are times when I don’t feel like the fact that I am plus sized has any bearing on my travel experience.

When my Size Affects My Experience

What do I mean? Well it depends. Let’s say I’m on vacation in Miami. I go to the beach and decide to wear my bikini, which is actually a sports bra with a high waisted, full coverage bottom. From the time I set down my stuff and take off my coverup to the time I pack up to go home, about 3 hours, I can guarantee at least 10 people have looked at me with some measure of disgust, shame, or maybe even worry. Now, at the same time, another ten people have probably looked at my sister, but with admiration, envy or that gross longing stare. Let’s take into account that maybe I’m also playing beach volleyball and clearly not eating or drinking my weight in bad snacks, I’m drinking water and eating pineapple. Despite that, I have to remind myself 10 times that day not to be ashamed of myself or my body. Here, my size has completely affected my experience.

When my Size Doesn’t Affect My Experience

Let’s do another example, where it’s winter and I’m on a walking tour with a group of people of different ages and sizes. We’re all cold and want to move fairly quickly. The only people who are really noticed or who stand out are those people who can’t keep up and slow us down. I am always at the front of the line in a walking tour, I want to hear everything! People notice me for the questions I’m asking rather than my body. In this case, I don’t feel my size had any effect on my experience.

What’s the Point?

Why am I bothering to write this? Because I feel it’s important. Even though it doesn’t always feel like it’s affecting my travel experience, I am plus size and a traveler. Because there are still people out there that don’t realize being plus size can affect your travel experience. It’s not a commonly publicized thing. Even if what I write isn’t specifically for a plus size audience, it needs to get to them.

They need to see me. Outside. Climbing walls and staircases and mountains. Swimming in a bikini. Enjoying delicious pastries and donuts wherever I go. Because we need to see ourselves represented in things. Because young Kristina didn’t have role models to look up to in the media because nobody resembled me at all.

So here’s the deal. I’m a plus size travel blogger. Not for 29 year old me. For 10 year old me who thought I had to be skinny to be successful and do what I loved. For all the young girls who want to see the world but are told they can’t because they haven’t met some sort of physical benchmark.

And if you don’t like me or the way I write, check out a list of my top 5 other plus size travel blogger ladies, who are also paving the way for little girls everywhere!