Content creator and actress Dolly Singh recently shared a poignant note on social media on body shaming and her long journey of accepting her body. In a candid reflection, Dolly said that while she loves her body in every state, there are always people who comment on her weight. We spoke to the actress about the need for a “safe space” and how she battles trolls.

Dolly says, “For me, internet trolling is not that bad as you have measures to deal with it. You can block and restrict trolls – you know that these people don’t matter. But when it is your own family, friends and relatives saying mean things to you, that affects you more and makes you dwell on it for years. You carry that trauma. If it has happened in your childhood, you carry that trauma till you die. I can handle criticism on the internet, but in real life, it can be hard. You can’t detach yourself and cut everybody out of your life.”

Dolly insists that it’s necessary to draw boundaries in relationships. She says, “Sometimes I draw boundaries, avoid meeting those people often. If they happen to be close, I try and tell them what I am feeling about the things that they are saying to me – be open about it. But I am not a confrontational person, it doesn’t come naturally to me. So, I decided that I am not going to meet those people. There can only be a few people in your life who you can call your safe space.”

On deciding to share the note on social media, Dolly says, “Initially, when I started my content creation journey, I was very honest with the audience. I’d talk about my anxiety and therapy, but soon trolls increased. What I noticed was that when I’d share that I was feeling upset, trolls would press the same button knowing that it hurts. I don’t want to stop being vulnerable on the internet. What I have started to do to safeguard myself is not talk about it in the moment. Like when I am going through it, I don’t put it out on the internet immediately.”