5 Easy ways to love your body the way it is
Learning to love yourself is a journey, and it needs to start somewhere. Why not let it be here?
The indisputable fact is that body image issues do not only affect people of a certain age group or gender. Everyone can fall victim to hateful thoughts about their body because society and mainstream media has so long been feeding us with what the ideal beauty should be, which is often on an unattainable standard, thereby making people feel lesser for not being able to be on that level.
But there is a new wind blowing in the world now, and it’s evoking change in this deeply entrenched, and frankly toxic, beauty standard in the modern world.
From introducing alternative models onto runways at Fashion Weeks, to representation in TV shows and movies, the standard of beauty is changing, and the spectrum is widening.
Who would have even thought that we would have a model with Down Syndrome on the New York Fashion Week runway? If the idea had even been brought up five years ago, it would’ve been swiftly kicked off to the curb.
Society is becoming more acceptable, and some day the idea of having a negative body image will be a distant myth. But for now, for those who still do and are struggling, here are five ways on how you can learn to love your body for what it is.
1. Acknowledge your flaws, and accept them
You have to acknowledge the flaws you have, and accept them. You need to understand that you are human and humans are not perfect, and never will be. Come to terms with it and nobody will be able to use them as a weapon against you.
2. Celebrate yourself
The reason why supermodels are so looked up upon is because they are part of the exclusive white, skinny, tall and beautiful club. Not everyone looks like that, and you probably don’t either and that’s ok. You’re still worth love and respect. Just because you don’t fit into a stereotype of what beauty should be, you are an individual and that in itself is something to be proud of.
3. Do what makes you happy
As long as you don’t hurt anyone, you should do whatever makes you happy. Stop condemning yourself for wanting that fried chicken. Stop punishing yourself for not having typically ‘cool’ interests and hobbies. If you like going to comic book conventions, or singing karaoke but can’t hold a tune, or if you want to reject the idea that you have to be hairless to be beautiful, then do it.
4. Reaffirm yourself with positivity
When you wake up in the morning or when you look into the mirror and find something nice about yourself, be vocal about it, and say ‘I have pretty eyes’. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are your own harshest critic, chances are that nobody scrutinizes you the way you do yourself. Let yourself live.
5. Enjoy your own company
Being alone is not the same as being lonely. There are some things that you just need to do alone, and you don’t need to be around exhausting or toxic people. Do things alone. Run your errands, have a meal on your own, window shop, and be ok knowing you don’t need people around you all the time. Have time alone, and enjoy it.
There is no right way to love yourself, and these five ways aren’t the only ways to do so. Different things work for different people and in the end it’s up to you on how you choose to empower yourself. But you need to start somewhere.
Bernice Ng
Photo: Getty Images
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