We live in a world that seems to sadly revolve around how we look, especially for females.
Growing up, I was obsessed that I was fat from a young age with pudgy cheeks, but looking back – I was actually relatively thin.
As an adult, I have good and bad days. Sometimes I feel disgusted and don’t want to wear shorts out. I look at tagged photos of myself, convinced that someone should have told me I had gotten so fat. Other days, I feel great.
‘In a society that profits from your self-doubt, liking yourself is a rebellious act’
I’m definitely not the only one; we are fed bullshit photos of models in magazines from a young age, trying to compete with people that have had plastic surgery or personal trainers from birth.
I can only imagine that it must get worse with age, my mum is constantly talking about how gross and fat she feels (she’s not). It could be the reason that plastic surgery is increasing in the US and worryingly towards body procedures (liposuction, breast augmentation, tummy tuck).
Seeing the headlines recently about The Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield being fat-shamed whilst swimming (FYI, she’s a 24-year-old size 8 model), made me realise that we have a disgusting epidemic of body dysmorphia.
Image Chronicles of Her
We need to learn to love our bodies more and not be dictated by anyone else’s opinions
My body is mine and as long as I’m healthy, I should be gleaming with pride every day over it. Every day won’t be perfect, but let’s rebel and learn to love our beautiful bodies more together.
Here’s some inspiration and advice from incredible people on how to have a more positive relationship with your body
N.B. I’m totally not shaming anyone that has or wants to get plastic surgery, I just want people (including myself) to love their body more.
GET OUTDOORS MORE
On the weekend, I saw a beautiful documentary called My Big White Thighs & Me (watch below). It follows the story of the adorable Hannah Maia as she learns to love her body again by seeking out cold open water once a month and swimming in it (in the UK which is freezing!)
To watch Hannah’s exploration of the outdoors and herself is a wonderful reminder that our bodies can do exceptional things. We should get outdoors as much as possible, to truly remember the beauty of the world and ourselves.
“Over the last 18 months, I have learned to turn down the volume of the demands of the world and to celebrate the quiet heroism of a female life and this body”
DON’T BE AFRAID TO STAND OUT
I think even though we desperately want to be body positive, sometimes we want to just look like the girls with toned abs in magazines. Terrified that the world won’t love us or we won’t find a partner if we don’t look like everyone else.
Well, Lizzo is here to tell you that you look Good As Hell as you are. Don’t follow the crowd, wear your look with your body, and wear it with pride. Lizzo is a rapper, singer and songwriter, that can also twerk whilst playing a flute so..she’s badass. She exuberates fun and confidence whilst performing, with bold outfits and a unique persona. We love her for it.
“It takes courage to fly in the face of convention, especially in show business which glorifies size 0 runway models” – Edie Weinsten, Body Positivity: The Lizzo Effect, Psych Central
Image credit – https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2019/09/30/lizzos-truth-hurts-remains-no-1-for-fifth-week-could-break-another-female-rap-record/
FOCUS ON THE INSIDE
“I can’t stand in front of a mirror and say, ‘Oh I love my thighs, I love my cellulite,’ — I can just not think about them, and think about my bank account and orgasms, you know?
Jameela Jamil is a British queen that aside from her many talents, set up a movement called I Weigh focusing on the inside not outside of people (follow the account – it’s great). Jameela is pushing for body liberation, highlighting that we don’t need to be body positive – just body neutral. Instead of focusing so much on the outside, focus on the inside.
Image credit – Instagram shot from @dwarfviolet on @i_weigh
F*CK OTHER PEOPLE’S OPINIONS
Simone Biles is a young American gymnast that recently won five gold medals at the Olympics and broke world records. She is a strong advocate for self-confidence and loving your body after her coach at aged 15 years old called her fat. Simone advocates for using and loving what you have and ignoring how others make you feel. Even if you aren’t a five-time gold medalist athlete, if anyone makes you feel shit about your body – give them the middle finger.
“No matter how good you are at the sport, people will always say you don’t look good enough.” – Chelsea Stone, Simone Biles Opens Up About Being Body Shamed By a Coach, Glamour UK 2016
BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Everyone has insecurities and the harshest person is yourself. Think of the way you look and talk to other people and think in the same way about yourself; I think my friends and family are incredible.
Julia Michaels recently released a beautiful song called “Body” about her own complex relationship with her body.
“I’m sorry I’m a b*tch to you” – Julia Michaels from her song “Body”
Julia pushes for self-love as a constant journey for loving your own body. This can be in the form of changing your thoughts, mediation, going for a run or even having a bath. Just spend time with your body in a kind way.
