My Body vs. Everybody

Most people have found something about their bodies that they detest; whether that be stretch marks, cellulite, or even freckles. The social media era that we live in has allowed for the media to alter our perception of people's bodies. The media has allowed for normal bodies to be seen as unattractive. Whether that be tall or short, even big or small. The media picks apart women’s body’s as if they were on display at the Louvre. The media displays this ideal body type on magazines, television programs, and billboards. 

At a young age, girls are being taught to aspire to reach unattainable beauty standards which are highly unrealistic. Women are drastically impacted to the point of developing body dysmorphia or eating disorders. 

I have had my fair share of criticism in the past due to my weight. I transitioned from being “skinny” to putting on a healthy amount of weight. I did not look like the girls depicted on the television; I had an underrepresented body type. This made me feel self-conscious about my weight because no one shaped like me was being represented in the media. I guess “thin was in” and I seemed to be the only one who didn’t receive the memo. I was bigger than the other girls on my sports teams and in my classes -I thought nobody would notice but trust me, they did. They constantly reminded me how different I was. 

It took some time but I finally gained self-confidence and so can you. I learned to love the skin that I was in. Nobody can make you love yourself or the body that you have. Even if I do not look like the women depicted in the media, I am still beautiful and nobody can tell me otherwise. Beauty is not defined by any number on a scale or loose skin. Beauty is defined by how you carry yourself.

 Below are a few techniques you can use in order to boost your self confidence:

1. Block out all the negative thoughts. If you begin to have negative thoughts in general, you will eventually begin to think negatively about yourself. Try to stay positive by focusing your energy on things that matter. Try to mediate or do yoga. Do something that helps you and lifts your spirit. 
   
2. Surround yourself with accepting and loving people. The most hurtful words come from the people closest to us. If someone is constantly putting you down then do not keep them around! You need people that want to uplift you, not put you down.
   
3. Listen to inspiring individuals. Social media is a great place to build social connections but it can also be damaging to your self esteem. On YouTube, there are numerous Ted Talks about body positivity.: Here are a few:
   

• Plus size? More like My Size https://youtu.be/xAgawjzimjc
  
• Body positivity or body obsession? https://youtu.be/uDowwh0EU4w
  
• Let’s Unpack Our Fear of Fatness 
  

These are just a few things that helped me. Everyone’s journey to self confidence is different. The media has been the defining factor of beauty standards for a very long time - too long, perhaps. I think it is time that we start our own beauty standards by there being no strict definition of a woman's beauty; being yourself is beautiful enough. Differences in appearance is what makes us beautiful. Be you by being different.

Stay positive and stay true to yourself. 

• Gabby