You’re Not Alone
Do you ever catch yourself avoiding clothes shopping, or turning down invitations to events because of how you look? Maybe you stand in the back when you’re in a group picture. Or do you feel jealous or insecure when you scroll through your social media? If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. We’ve all be there. What you see is very often an unattainable ideal that society has long upheld. Let me offer some options.
Social media, magazines, and television can make you feel self conscious and you do not have to subscribe to them. Unfollow celebrities and influencers that make you feel inadequate. Subscribe and follow people who inspire you and are relatable to you. Surround yourself with positivity so you can feel good about yourself. People like Lizzo, companies like Dove and L’Oreal, and researchers such as Lexie and Lindsay Kite at More Than A Body are developing ways to help people develop a positive body image.
Remember, you're not alone. There are so many opportunities for connection. Reach out to friends who lift you up, and seek spaces where you feel validated. Never underestimate the value of a supportive community. They are out there. The Body Positive offers a newsletter, events, and courses. The Butterfly Foundation offers a Hotline, and colleges and universities like University of San Diego offer resources as well.
You can also use positive affirmations. They are designed to challenge your negative thoughts and to foster self-compassion. Start your day by affirming your worth, your beauty, and your strengths. Here are some examples: “I’m ok just as I am right now.” “I am getting stronger every day.” “I deserve to feel peace in my body.” Remember, beauty is not confined to age, size, or shape. Your light shines from within. Let your light shine!
Your beliefs shape your reality. Challenge your limiting beliefs. Transform them into empowering beliefs that uplift and support you. Instead of judging how you look in a group photo, be grateful that you have a photo to show for that moment in your life. Or, you may want to stay home instead of going to that birthday party or a day at the beach, but you will not have that exact opportunity again. You may not be able to change overnight, but you can start to see the difference and eventually you may find it liberating to create empowering beliefs.
Let go of comparisons. Embrace who you are and find people who bring you the joy and support that you need. You are more than enough, just as you are. I hope you found these tools and resources helpful. I believe that we can build each other up and support one another with love and compassion.
