Embrace Yourself
From a very young age we already learn what beauty is, and what that is supposed to look like. Probably when you read that word: ‘’beauty’’, a certain image might already pop up in your mind. We are told to shrink ourselves and do whatever is necessary to be perceived as beautiful. But do you know what… you already are, and you don’t have to do a single thing for it. Yep, you read that right!
Years ago I read the following quote ‘’if we all decided to be confident tomorrow, the beauty industry would lose billions’’, and it has stuck with me ever since. Because it is exactly at. This perception of beauty is a money-making industry, living off our insecurities. Think of all the make-up that we buy, to cover up our ‘’imperfections’’. All the shaving products that we use, all the different exercise equipment that we purchase, the diet schemes, the flattening clothing, and the list goes on and on. It all exists there to be a ‘’fix’’ to our insecurities. Insecurities that are created by the media to make you feel like you will not be enough until you at least try this one thing. Put next to a person that is so photoshopped, whose whole life is about looking good. We are setting ourselves standards that can never be achieved.
Let’s not forget that these insecurities are indeed; created. Our bodies are being treated like trends that we are supposed to change at any time to fit into the newest trend. I wonder sometimes when I see a parent smiling at their babies little chubby folds, ‘’when did we start perceiving folds on our own bodies as wrong?’’. Or seeing how hairs on your body can beautifully accentuate a curve, when did hair on certain body parts become bad? And let’s not forget that these insecurities are not only there for people who identify as female, they are there for everyone.
Make-up can be an amazing tool to make you feel great. Shaving isn’t wrong if it makes you feel beautiful. Exercising is a lot of fun and good for your health. Wear those cute little shorts that make you feel great. But do you see the difference here… It is because you want to, because they make you feel fabulous, not because you feel like you have to. It is your own personal choice.
So what can you do?
- Be kind to yourself -
All these beauty standards have been so ingrained in our lives that it takes time to realise how much they dictate our routines.
- Show yourself just as much empathy you are giving to strangers, to yourself -
That inner voice inside all of us is a little demon! We tend to be so evil to ourselves, while we give so much kindness to strangers. Give yourself just as much kindness back.
- Try to look at images that are Real -
Most of the images that we see in our day-to-day media are… hold on tight… fake. We are so used to comparing ourselves to edited, posed, unreal bodies that we forget what actual, real bodies look like. The first time I saw someone with a six-pack sit down, and have belly rolls, my mind was literally blown!
- There is more to life than being perceived as Beautiful. -
Beauty is not the goal of life. It is an important thing to realise that there is so much more to you, than your appearance. Your humor, your dreams, your kindness, everything that makes you a person, is so much more important and valued.
- Speak up to Diet Culture -
This is easier said than done, and it takes time! When you feel like you have the confidence in yourself sorted, it is time to start raising that good old trusty beautiful finger that we all have in the middle of our hand up to the diet culture. The biggest rebellion towards diet culture you can do is love yourself.
And most importantly: Life boldly, live confidently. Be that person you always looked up to when you were little. Was that someone who hid away, shrunk themselves, and tried to stay as small as possible? Probably not! Dare to take up space, dare to be yourself, dare to be you. Embrace yourself, fully.
