“My legs are too big," “my ribs show," “my breasts are uneven," “I don’t weigh enough," “I weigh too much." These are all sayings that have one simple thing in common: a negative look on body image. In today’s society, bodies are seen everywhere, whether they’re on TV, movies, Facebook and most commonly, Instagram. No body is the same and that’s what makes them so unique to ourselves. Everyday we look into a mirror and the first thing we notice are our flaws. We train ourselves to see what we want to see, and automatically assume that it’s what everyone around us sees too. News flash! It’s not true. Nobody ever realizes what your stomach looks like or what zit is now present on your face. But in reality what is seen are our glimmering eyes or the cute new boots we decided to break in. We become so infatuated with the things we see that we don’t realize that half the time, they’re in our heads.
It is so easy in today’s society to get caught up in a concept known as “perfect." We manipulate our bodies -- sometimes in a very dangerous and unhealthy way to fit what we think a social norm of perfect is -- but the truth of the matter is, you’re already perfect. You don’t need someone to tell you that you’re gorgeous or that your body looks like a model’s. Yeah, it’s nice to get complimented on what you look like, but if you want to be real with yourself, you’re going to look different in 10 years. What wont be different in 10 years? Your personality. Your heart. Your spirit. Your passion. Your compassion. Your knowledge. Those characteristics are what you should be focusing on about yourself, not if you can fit in a size two pant.
Yes, it is OK to diet and exercise, but only if you’re doing it to make yourself healthier and happier. If you’re doing it to fit society's standard of “beauty" or because you think the person you find attractive will automatically like you, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. Society puts an unwanted pressure on everyone to look perfect. The everyday person cannot afford the type of personal training that celebrities do, plus they can’t afford the extreme diets it takes to “look good for everyone else." If you want to change your look because of another person, then you shouldn’t want to be with them at all. The one you’re with shouldn’t only like you for your looks, they should like you for your soul, your heart, and your brain over everything. Do it for yourself, to be strong and healthy.
Outer beauty can only get you so far in this world, but it’s what you look like on the inside that really counts. Think about it this way: When you’re looking for that one person, your soul mate, would you rather have them look like a model but have a heart or personality that is equivalent to a rock? Or would you rather be with someone who looks like your average Joe, and have a personality that makes you proud of who they are? Yes, people can have what would be known as in today’s culture as “the best of both worlds," but in reality, you’re not going to want to end up with someone you see as beautiful for their face, you’ll want the guy who is beautiful for his soul. Because in the end, looks will fade, but the heart is forever.
Confidence is key. The more confident you are with yourself, the better you will feel. I challenge you this, whoever is reading, go to the mirror, look yourself in the eyes and say, “I am beautiful, I am good enough, I am strong, I am confident." Trust me when I say, the more you do it, the better you’ll feel. Because you will realize, that everything you just said, is true.
