"I'm so fat." "I'm hideous." "I'm disgusting." Just a small amount of the phrases us girls and women use, pretend to joke about, and shrug off like it's nothing. When in reality, there is some truth to the matter.
The truth isn't that what we're saying is true.The truth is that we believe it.
Being a female in the day and age of social media is so hard. It isn't that it was always easy for females, it's just that there are pictures of beautifully photoshopped women absolutely everywhere. There are Instagram filters, Snapchat filters, VSCO, you name it-- it can enhance any photo. Especially selfies.
Fitness fads all over the internet make it hard to keep up with other women, they make it feel like the journey to a beautiful physique is a race. All everyone wants to be on social media is better than others, it feels like a constant competition.
Stop.
Appearance is not a competition. Achieving the ideal body is not a race. Your beauty lies within yourself. Yes, I know that sounds like the most cliché thing to say, but it is absolutely true. No amount of social media can define who you are as a person. Your actions, your mannerisms, the way you treat others should be what matters.
The reason why I am writing this is because I also struggle with the same distorted view of body image. There are so many times when the size on my pants means nothing to me and the makeup on my face doesn't make me feel good. There are some days when I feel terrible, my overall appearance is nitpicked over before I leave the house. Those are the days I have to remind myself, for what reason? Was I nice today? Did I treat others with respect? Did I work hard? Those are what matter at the end of the day. Am I beautiful on the inside? That's what matters.
I struggle a lot with the way I perceive myself. I am a perfectionist, I can't help it. Every girl in some way, shape or form feels like this from time and time again. This article isn't to say that you won't feel like that again. It's to tell you to know what your worth. Instead of looking in the mirror and picking apart every flaw, compliment all the good about yourself. All women are beautiful in their own way. We just have to start believing it.
