Since we were little girls, we have been bombarded with images of women with small waists, big boobs, curvy hips, long legs, perfect skin, and the overall “perfect body”. We grow up with insecurities from these images thinking that is the way we are supposed to be and, if we are anything else, we are ugly. Of course, all of this is due to TV, movies, magazines, and advertisements placing pressure on women to be this unrealistic image of “perfect”. What really is perfect? I believe there is no such thing. How can one body image be the ultimate ideal for every person on this planet? The answer is there isn’t one. Everyone has their own image of beauty in their head.
I find beauty in everything. Our unique qualities—not mass populated images—make us beautiful. One of my personal favorite celebrities is the female artist P!nk. She is not the typical beauty that you see in Hollywood. She has a muscular physique and a more boyish figure, with small breasts and small hips. But she exudes confidence and love for herself and her body regardless of the Hollywood image of beauty. Yet we still have women like Kim Kardashian splashed across all of social media, magazines, and TV. She has had plastic surgery to alter her appearance and to maintain the Hollywood image. Don’t get me wrong, she has a very curvy figure and that has changed the ideal image from anorexic thin to voluptuous but, she is still shown as having absolutely no imperfections thanks to her plastic surgery.
As women, we need to learn to be happy with our bodies. Do daily affirmations and rituals to show love to ourselves. On my bathroom mirror, I have a card on which is typed “You’re Beautiful”. It reminds me that regardless of how I see my bodies imperfections, I should love myself. Even if you are overweight hating yourself won’t help. Learning to love yourself will give you the mental strength to push yourself to a healthier lifestyle. Think about it, if you really think everyday “OMG, I hate being this fat, I am so nasty” it will cause you to be depressed and depression brings on fatigue, anxiety, bad eating habits, and this whole cycle continues. Positive thinking helps bring results. it makes you push forward for a better and happier life.
Of course, eating healthy and exercising helps increase our confidence and makes us feel beautiful. I know that when I am exercising on a regular basis, I feel clear-headed and amazing. I see myself as strong and making good healthy progress in my life.
Another issue we have with body image is body-shaming. Social media is the most popular place to post pictures of people doing embarrassing things and they may not even know they are being photographed or filmed. The other day, I saw a video on Instagram of a bigger woman riding a bike at a good rate, working hard, and clearly trying to get some exercise. And all the video said was, “This woman is so big, you can barely see the bike. Elephants should stay at the zoo.” Why would we say this about this woman who is clearly trying to improve herself and become healthy? We should be encouraging this woman, not shaming her.
So ladies, let’s stop body shaming ourselves and others and start encouraging positive body image. Let’s face it, ladies, there is no real “perfect” in this world. We are all unique and we should embrace it and love who we are as women.
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