While scrolling through Twitter feeds, Instagram and other social media websites lately, it is obvious to see that positive body image has been a very prevalent topic in our society and social media today. From Aerie’s beautiful natural no re-touch ads to hashtags in Instagram users’ captions like #BodyPositive, #BodyAcceptance and #AllBodiesAreGoodBodies, it’s hard to go a day without seeing something related to being body positive. Pictures of people loving themselves in their own skin is something we are starting to see promoted often, and this is absolutely amazing. Having a positive body image means to love your body, to feel comfortable in your own skin and to genuinely like and accept the way you look. Who wouldn’t want that? It’s time to fall in love with your body again. It’s time to feel comfortable in your own skin again. Every single person on this planet is different, and every single person on this planet is just as beautiful as the next. Not only do we all need to start recognizing this, but we, ourselves, need to start recognizing our own beauty and individuality. No two people should ever be compared to each other because how could you compare two completely different, perfect beings who weren’t meant to look alike in the first place? We need to stop comparing ourselves to other people like celebrities or our peers. We may look at them and think things like “I wish I had their body shape or hair color or other certain feature.” Instead, we need start focusing on just ourselves. A quote that really stood out to me once while I was scrolling through my Pintrest said, “Admire someone else’s beauty without questioning your own.” This is absolutely true, and we should all be reminded of this whenever we start to absentmindedly compare ourselves to others.
Honestly, this is such an important topic to me because of my own health and having a condition that can change the way my skin looks. It’s hard to not feel comfortable in your own skin, and, trust me, it’s even harder when you feel like other people are noticing or even judging your appearance and insecurities. No one should ever have to feel like that, and everyone should be able to embrace their own quirks and insecurities and be able to accept them without the judgment of others. Sure, there are many ways to change the way you look, but you need to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. You shouldn’t try to change how you look for others or to be noticed. If you really want to, you should change something for yourself and only yourself. It’s important to have a positive body image, and it is healthy to have a positive outlook on your appearance.
There are many ways to start having positive body image. The National Eating Disorders Association made a list of 10 ways you can start loving your body. Though all of them are so great, a few stood out to me that I think are super important and should be incorporated into everyone’s lives. The first is to appreciate all that your body is able to do for you. Our bodies are amazing, functioning beings that can do so many incredible things. Think of your talents and hobbies and realize your body is doing that for you. Whether you love exercising, dancing or singing, your body is making that happen for you through many different intricate processes. Appreciate that and acknowledge how incredible your body and all of its functions are. Another way you can start having a more positive body image is to always remind yourself that beauty is not just what is on the outside but what is on the inside. At a young age, one of the first things we are taught is that real beauty comes from the inside. This never goes away and should remain important through your entire life. Beauty is not external; it is greatly internal. Focus on your inner beauty and bring out those beautiful features of your personality to show off to the world. Another way the NEDA listed in their article is to stop listening to the voices in your head that tell you you need to change or that something about you is not right. Shut those voices right up and replace them with positive comments. I encourage everyone to check out this article for more ways to stay #BodyPositive and to incorporate into your daily life at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/10-steps-positive-body-image.
The hashtag #BodyPositive is all about self-love, confidence and acceptance. We can all achieve this if we just simply let ourselves. Don’t try to change the way your body looks. Change the way you think about your body. Love the body you’ve been given and show off your own unique beauty.
