Body image, it's on a lot of people's minds, especially within the past couple of years. I know that it is almost always on mine. How do I look? Do I look like a scrub? Do I look ten pounds heavier or lighter? Did I put on too much make-up or not enough? Why does my hair look so greasy, I just showered this morning?!
Questions like these, as well as many others, are constantly running through my head. The other day I was watching "America's Next Top Model" with a friend and one of the contestants had this really cute outfit on. Of course, this woman was very slender true to model's nature, and she had on a sizable amount of make up on, at least more than my normal bare face. But what got me really was the comment I made. I said, "I wish I could wear something like that." This would not be the first time I have made this comment aloud or have thought it to myself.
The statement of wishing that you could wear something is kind of ridiculous. You can wear whatever you want. You can put on whatever type of makeup you want to put on, however much or little you like. You can wear dresses without shaving your legs, or make sure that they are always clean shaven. It shouldn't matter to other people. All that should matter is if you feel comfortable and confident in what you look like.
This is easier said than done, unfortunately, because even though I know this truth in the back of my mind, it is still in the back. I have to think extra hard about saying that I can wear any look that I want to because, at this point in my life, it doesn't come naturally. It doesn't come naturally because by looking at magazines and advertisements, they portray the same girl. The extraordinarily pretty one, the one who could wear almost any garment and make it work for them. But why should that be any different for me? Is it going to be as easy for me as it is for them? No, they have a slender figure, photoshop and probably a good deal more of confidence on their side.
Sometimes you just have to be unafraid to try a new style, like more flowing sleeves or tighter jeans. Sometimes you need to be less afraid to show off some skin, buy the shorts that you are so comfortable in, but might rise up higher than anything you have owned before. Wear what you love, as some may say, people are going to stare anyway, might as well give them something good to stare at.
So wear that crop top, rock that new lip color, strap on those high heels. Find what works for you and what makes you happy, there is nothing more important than that. And the next time you think, "Can I pull that off?" Just believe that you can.
