Wow! That looks great on that mannequin! (Tries it on and am upset again by the little pudge showing on my stomach.) Time to put this aside, since I will never be able to look small and fit enough to make it look decent. I feel as if I will forever be stuck in the awkward stage of not wanting to wear something tight because otherwise it will show that one spot on my body that I desperately hate. When I go shopping, I always feel self-conscious when something doesn’t fit the way I want it to.
I have lost weight and still hated my body, I have gained some weight back and realized how small I truly did get in the past, and wondered why I hated my body so much. I have realized that no matter what, I will never be happy with the way I look. I have asked myself why time and time again, till it hit me when I was shopping for clothes. The mannequins are made to be extremely thin; some of the clothes on the mannequins need to be clipped back to fit properly. This is one of the reasons girls have body image issues. Models are usually Photoshopped to make them look more appealing to the eyes. When in reality who they are is what should be shown.
Someone’s size does not define them. It is not about looks, but about living a healthy lifestyle that works for you. Life is about being happy in your own skin. Who cares if someone happens to have a bigger body type than you? Everyone is different and unique in his or her own way. If someone’s look or size does not define them, what does? Your personality, quirks, laugh, the way you sympathize with someone else, your hobbies, the way you treat others, etc. Who you are as a person is what sets you apart from others. It is not all about the way you look. People have different tastes. No matter who you are, or what you look like, you are beautiful just the way you are. “I think you are hot if you don’t change due to confidence of who you are.” -Kristina, 18
Unrealistic standards are getting more embedded into society as we get older and older. My friend Anna shared that unrealistic standards are depressing. How are you supposed to be yourself when you have a standard you are supposed to follow? She also clearly stated that kids now care about their looks, but when we were younger we were focused on what we would play during recess. I back up everything she has said. Kids nowadays are too focused on trying to grow up way too fast and fitting society's standards at a younger age instead of living out their youth. “Kids are looking at these standards and need to realize that they need to live a little and be who they are.” -Anna, 18
“Accepting who you are and what makes you happy, and not being what others deem is perfect. Everyone’s motivation is built differently.” –Michelle, 19
“Learn to like yourself, make your own standards.” –Kayt, 19
“So many different body types, one standard isn’t right. Not everyone can fit that standard. It is degrading people, making them feel like they are not good enough.” –Vanessa, 19
“We’re expected to have these perfect bodies, but that’s not attainable for everyone. Maybe 1 percent of the population can reach the standards projected onto us, and that’s totally not OK.” –Chelsea, 19
“Be yourself, other people suck. Eat that Oreo if you want it.” –Kristina, 18
“People are too concerned about standards. They pay more attention to what they think they want and less attention to setting their own standards.” –Patrick, 19
All in all, I have talked to seven people to give me their opinion on body standards. As you can clearly see, they all disagree with what society says is "perfect." Know you aren’t alone. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe is right. Set you own standard for what you deem is perfect for yourself. No one has the right to say you are not beautiful or handsome. You are all kinds of wonderful! Please never forget that. Don’t let what one person may have said affect how you feel about yourself. Be yourself. You are strong. You are worth it. You are special. You have a friend in me.
