You have probably poked, squished, pinched and stared long enough at yourself in front of a mirror, criticizing your birthday suit and pointing out every flaw that you wish to get rid of one way or another. You’re a woman, and it’s not uncommon to have insecurities, especially when the media floods you with images of nothing but models airbrushed and Photoshopped to perfection.
This is why we’ve come up with a list of body-lovin’ tips on how to stop feeling bad about how you look and start embracing the beautiful uniqueness of YOU.
Accept! You’re pear-shaped, so what? Everybody is supposed to be unique, to look different from the next person, so why fuss about that outstanding sexy shape you have?
Detox! Do you stare for the longest time at magazine covers, wishing that you had the exact same body as the cover girl’s? If these images make you feel bad about how you look, then, stop it! Instead, look for inspiration in the lushness of Renaissance women or other art or images that you can relate to. Your figure may be the exact replica of Botticelli’s Venus Rising!
Undress! Dare to be bare and stand in front of the mirror. Talk to your body! Acknowledge your flaws. Know that everybody has them. Realize that your flaws are part of who you are and it’s what makes you interesting and original. Understand that no one else will appreciate ALL OF YOU but YOU.
Move! Have you wanted to try that new yoga workout your friends are raving about? Go for it! Enjoy your body. Push it to its limits. Talk to it while you exercise. Encourage it! These things help in making you love your body more. Think of it as bonding with a friend. You’ll be surprised how far you can go, all by yourself!
Prettify! You wanna rock a cropped ‘do? Wear short skirts? Be all dolled up? Do it now! Don’t wait until you lose 5, 10 or 15 pounds to start dressing up. You deserve to look good and feel good about yourself right this moment. Don’t do it for others. Do it for yourself because you’re beautiful, fabulous and worth it!
Negate the hate! If you are like some girls who like bashing their bodies in front of others just so they can be reassured and feel better about themselves, then you’re only fooling yourself. How you treat yourself will be the benchmark of how others will treat you. Besides, who wants to be around someone who’s so conscious and whiny all the time?
Celebrate! Delight in how every woman is shaped differently. Be generous with compliments. The more we admire and call out the uniqueness of others, the more we realize that a woman’s body is not meant to be standardized. And, the more we open ourselves to positivity, we lessen the room for body criticism. Wouldn’t it be a better world if women didn’t have nasty things to say about each other’s bodies?
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