5 Inexpensive Ways To Practice Self-Love And Body Positivity Without Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Start writing a post
Student Life

5 Inexpensive Ways To Practice Self-Love And Body Positivity Without Leaving Your Comfort Zone

Having good mental health doesn't always involve money or pushing boundaries.

34
5 Inexpensive Ways To Practice Self-Love And Body Positivity Without Leaving Your Comfort Zone

Practicing self-love and body positivity is a crucial part of self-identity. Without the confidence that comes from that practice, you find yourself relying more on others rather than yourself to be happy. For me, it was a way of growing up. It took a moment for me to realize that I needed to appreciate all aspects of myself to be completely happy. Trying to find that happiness and acceptance through someone was impossible. Spending a significant amount of time in my campus apartment during quarantine taught me a few inexpensive and personal ways to love myself.

1. Play with your wardrobe. People feel confident and comfortable in different things.

body positivity bathing suit GIF by TargetGiphy

People aim to be the size they are not, leaning more towards the body types their celebrities typically build and promote. I hated being so tall and 'box-shaped'; I wanted more than anything to be short and curvy. One way I learned to overcome this behavior towards my body was oversized clothes. I would buy shirts and sweatpants that were two sizes larger than usual to feel like I was an average size person. I still wanted that curviness and so I would tuck my shirt in slightly to give the illusion of a tiny waist. I cheated my eyes to believe that I was small. It's not perfect but I learned to love how I looked over time. Some people might feel more comfortable with smaller sized clothing but this is how I learned to feel confident.

2.  Discover the best parts of your body with poses.

Natalie Wood Vintage GIF by FilmStruckGiphy

I seemed to always have the worst luck with people taking pictures of me. They capture the most unflattering angles, and I don't want to tell those people that they can't post that group photo because I feel awful about myself. The best way to avoid those feelings is by getting to know your body personally through poses and finding those angles that show the best you. Having a camera with a timer can boost confidence and avoid 'bad' photos.

3. Get rid of the things associated with bad memories.

Angry Trash Can GIF by United Wrestling NetworkGiphy

Sometimes people have things stored in their belongings that reflect different times, maybe times that are not so pleasant. I donated a lot of the things I wore as a preteen; not because it was out of style or didn't fit but because it reminded me of how bad and uncomfortable I felt in them. I tried my best to wear them in public but they always brought up bad memories. Getting rid of things like that prove the idea "out of sight, out of mind". It's the same bittersweet feeling a person experiences finally deleting those pictures of an ex.

4. Keep a journal for the good and bad thoughts.

angry issa rae GIFGiphy

There are a lot of stressful things we experience in life. Venting out to yourself is the best cure to find closure about whatever is happening. Writing in a journal captures all sorts of thoughts including the ones we might regret saying out loud. I remember I had a really bad day at work and I was so angry with no one to vent to. A personal journal gives you the comfort to say how you truly feel without any judgment besides your own. It is also an easy way to remind yourself about who you are and where you come from because it's a time capsule of your most memorable moments.

5. Learn a thing or two about something that could make you happy.

exercise dancing GIFGiphy

This is advice towards anything you could dedicate your time to whether it be a new friend or some sort of craft or hobby. It's is easier to embrace new things when you learn more about them. It builds a well-rounded character and a sense of relief that you're someone you can rely on for the simplest things and somewhat interesting (crazy, right?). In time, you also find yourself more confident and accepting of the way your body moves because you have put it under so many conditions that require different motions.

It takes a lot more effort to find the good parts about this year even when a part is also yourself. You sort of forgot what you were like before the pandemic and these tips could help you ease back to the person you once were. It's helping me but not everything is a straight line to success.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

From 3 To 89, Ages Referenced In Taylor Swift Songs

Are you at one of the ages mentioned in Taylor Swift's songs?

174125
Taylor Swift performs at a concert
Callie Spencer

Before Taylor Swift's transition from a country/pop sweetheart to a crazed vengeful victim, I was a huge fan of hers. I've been listening to her music for as long as I can remember.

Over the years, as an observant T Swift fan, I've noticed her penchant for mentioning ages in her songs. Maybe she does this so she can look back on these songs and remember how old she was when she had these experiences. Or maybe she does it so her fans have another level to relate to her on. For at least my past seven birthdays, I've checked to see if Taylor Swift mentioned my new age in one of her songs.

Keep Reading...Show less
Signs in Connecticut

As someone studying in Massachusetts, it would be as easy for me to expound on CT-MA relations and stereotypes as it is to talk about the essence of either place. I’ve traveled across the United States from the southernmost point to the Canadian border, from LA to Seattle, and from the East Coast Atlantic to San Francisco to the Pacific Islands. The further away I find myself, the less and less people think about my tiny home state. While Massachusetts residents tend to have a unique familiarity (and likely a few stories and some stereotypes) with Connecticut, the most I heard from anyone in Hawaii is, “Oh, that’s north. So cold! You get the full four seasons there.”

Keep Reading...Show less
Basic white girls dancing to songs at the club

The following 20 songs are guaranteed to bring out the Starbucks-loving, Ugg boot wearing, Instagram obsessed, basic, white girl in everyone:

Keep Reading...Show less
Sports

Top 5 Hardest Positions In Sports

Have you ever wondered what the hardest positions in sports, this list explains what they are and why they are the hardest.

15558
Football, soccer ball, baseball, basketball and lacrosse ball lie on a field
feel grafix

Sports are not easy to play. While they are fun to play, they have their challenges in each sport. But it is well known that some positions are harder to play than others. Not to take away the difficulty of the other positions, but some positions takes more than brawn to be able to compete at that level. It takes intelligence, cleverness, toughness and some improvisation. Note that this list is purely opinionated and is open to debate.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

14 Signs You Have A Big Butt

You will only understand these if you have a big rear end.

101245
Kim Kardashian pours champagne onto her big butt
celebitchy.com

The 'big booty' is all the rage right now, thanks to Kim Kardashian. People are getting butt implants just to have that 'perfect butt.' But what a lot of people don't realize is having a big butt kind of sucks. Here some things you will understand if you have a big butt.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments