Lena Dunham's before-and-after photos reveal a powerful truth

Lena Dunham's latest Instagram post has gone viral for its powerful message. Photo / Instagram

Lena Dunham's recent Instagram post has gone viral for proving that there is no truth to the old myth that skinny people are happier.

The Girls star posted two before-and-after photos of herself, one skinnier and one heavier, to prove an important point and her message resonated with tens of thousands of people around the world.

"On the left: 138 pounds, complimented all day and propositioned by men and on the cover of a tabloid about diets that work. Also, sick in the tissue and in the head and subsisting only on small amounts of sugar, tons of caffeine and a purse pharmacy," she wrote alongside the photos.

"On the right: 162 pounds, happy joyous & free, complimented only by people that matter for reasons that matter, subsisting on a steady flow of fun/healthy snacks and apps and entrees, strong from lifting dogs and spirits.

"Even this OG body positivity warrior sometimes looks at the left picture longingly, until I remember the impossible pain that brought me there and onto my proverbial knees. As I type I can feel my back fat rolling up under my shoulder blades. I lean in."

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On the left: 138 pounds, complimented all day and propositioned by men and on the cover of a tabloid about diets that work. Also, sick in the tissue and in the head and subsisting only on small amounts of sugar, tons of caffeine and a purse pharmacy. On the right: 162 pounds, happy joyous & free, complimented only by people that matter for reasons that matter, subsisting on a steady flow of fun/healthy snacks and apps and entrees, strong from lifting dogs and spirits. Even this OG body positivity warrior sometimes looks at the left picture longingly, until I remember the impossible pain that brought me there and onto my proverbial knees. As I type I can feel my back fat rolling up under my shoulder blades. I lean in.

A post shared by Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) on Jul 10, 2018 at 10:34am PDT

Dunham has previously opened up about her battle with endometriosis, an illness that causes her severe pain.

The post received nearly half a million likes in just a day and received more than 14,000 comments.

"This really resonated, thank you," commented singer Demi Lovato.

"Love you so hard," actress Busy Philipps commented.

"Girls and women: this is what true freedom looks like," actress Megan Mullally added, while singer Katy Perry called it "powerful".