This past Spring Break I took a trip to New York City to visit my sister and her family. My sister and I took a day to treat ourselves; to truly relax our minds and replenish our bodies. We went to a spa. There were nude pools (hot/cold, women/men). Yeah. It was as awkward as it sounds. But I was comfortable in my own skin for the first time in my 22 years of life.
I learned a lot from that trip, not only because being in NYC forces you to be independent (unless that is just my sister doing the forcing...where's the wink emoji?), but because of the nude pools. As I sat in the hot tub I observed that I am part of a sisterhood of sorts. For that brief time there was no photoshop nor body-shaming. It was pure and raw. No one could hide behind the filters of Instagram; a room full of confident women with all kinds of bodies. To use a cliché, this experience was life changing. My confidence grew. My mindset changed.
Because I enjoy lists, here are three of the most powerful things I discovered about not only my own body image, but body image as a general topic:
1. It is a comparison game:
Think about it. Actually sit down and think about why you feel the need to shame your body. Is it because your friends have smaller hips/waist than you? Or because you have freckles? Whatever reason you came up with, throw it out the window. Your friends have different genes than you, your hips will make child bearing easier (or so my mom says). All of those women on magazines, social media, t.v., etc. have been edited. The chances of them looking like that in real life are slim. Society is telling you to be beautiful you have to look like the women who posed on the front of GQ magazine. You don't. You get to look like you and you're the only you in the world. How cool is that?
2. Our minds are part of the problem:
Loving our bodies starts with a healthy mindset. Girl, you're more beautiful that you can even fathom. I can't stress this enough. I mentioned this last week; you are the standard of beauty for the right guy. The Lord knitted you together in your mother's womb. You were intricately woven together. You were/are thought deeply about. If you do not believe that you are so beautiful, let's have a chat.
3. Treat yourself regularly:
Our bodies work hard and we need to take care of them. Treating myself to a day at the spa was one of my better decisions I've made this whole year. My body works really hard to keep me alive no matter what I put it through, ergo it deserves much of my love. Love your body. Cherish your body. You get this one. Take a day (or 30 mins) to treat yourself, you deserve this. I have never felt so relaxed yet confident. Treating yourself does wonders.
Please don't take this to mean that you have to sit in a hot tub naked in a room full of women doing the same thing. You don't. You do have to start complimenting your body. Not your mind, your legs. Your good child-bearing hips. Your ass that won't quit (Phoebe Buffay...anyone?). Love those stretch marks or freckles or whatever. It's not going to be easy. It's going to be really hard at times but take a deep breath and repeat this: I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am beautiful. You can do this.
