Love Yourself This Spring
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Love Yourself This Spring

Spring may bring some low self-esteem with it--this is how you can combat those feelings!

464
Love Yourself This Spring
Google Images

We all love spring. The sun comes out, flowers bloom, and chocolate goes on sale after Easter (and no matter what religion you are, everyone loves a discounted chocolate bunny!). For the first time, you can throw your windows open while wearing a t-shirt, don your dusty sunglasses, and walk around in your flip-flops... for about ten minutes before realizing, shoot, it is still March and absolutely freezing in sandals. Of course the arduous spring cleaning is only brightened a little bit by the weather, but the one part of spring nobody seems to ever talk about is how one's body confidence can plummet after spending a whole winter in warm clothes that are very flattering--and show little to no skin.

A personal struggle for myself has always been coming out of winter and needing to start dressing for spring again. While I am a huge fan of dressed and flowing tank-tops that make me feel like a princess, I am not a fan of feeling like everyone can see the parts of myself I am most insecure about, i.e. my legs and my arms. Sure, everyone loves warm weather, but when you do not look like someone with the typically attractive body type, it can be a little scarier than just changing up your wardrobe.

The best way I personally combat this is through eating more fruits and vegetables as well as exercising more, but I am not going to tell you to do either of those things. Sure, they help me, but I am sure you and I aren't the same person. You see, I like exercising because I have exercised all my life and therefore for some strange reason enjoy it (also because of science). I eat vegetables and fruits because they taste great and are finally available fresh from a local farm my family uses. However, I realize both of these pieces of advice are widely promulgated by society in an effort to make girls and women conform to societal norms regarding their body. This of course applies to men as well, however I do not have much experience with that as I do with this subject regarding women.

Exercise is never market to women the same way it is marketed to men. Women should exercise not because it is fun they have with their friends playing sports, or because they have real goals for weightlifting or distance running--no, apparently women should only exercise so that they can be attractive. Hold up, though, because if you exercise too much you might become unattractive, for example Serena Williams being regarded as "ugly" because, oh no, you could see her muscles--can you believe it, she has muscles--in a ball gown. What, like a tennis player doesn't have muscles? Like she cannot show off her hard work through her amazing physique, just because it doesn't conform to societal norms?

So this is my advice to you on the eve of springtime across the northern hemisphere. Do whatever you want with your body. Eat good food, whether that's all veggies or soul food. Exercise when you want, where you want, and how you want. Do not be scared or intimidated by what others tell you. Love yourself. There is nobody more important in decisions regarding your own body than yourself. If you take control of your body and your life and reject everything said around you, then you can live your best life, because there will always be criticism no matter how you look. Too fat, too skinny, too weak, too muscular, too tall, too short, funky legs, funky hair, you don't shave enough, you shave too much, whatever. There is no perfect, so what try to attain what everyone else wants? Start with what you want, and work from there.

Happy spring, y'all!

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

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50248
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32081
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955474
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180614
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments