I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “love yourself” so many times in your lifetime that it’s beginning to become somewhat of a cliche. Everyone is telling you to just love who you are and you will achieve true happiness. Truth is, this is easier said than done. According to dosomething.org’s “11 Facts About Body Image,” 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies. Social pressure and the media are big contributors to the way women perceive their own body. As someone who has been considered overweight according to the BMI scale, I know it can be difficult to feel content in your own skin. Especially when American culture is constantly looking down upon cellulite, stretch marks, and any bit of fat that isn’t on your boobs or butt. The body-positivity struggle is real.
Source: http://peekachiu.tumblr.com/post/156306901200/eearth-the-real-glo-up-is-when-you-stop-waiting
I was introduced to the “body positive movement” while I was in high school, a time when I was most insecure about my body. I was constantly criticizing my physical appearance, deeply relating to this scene in Mean Girls. It definitely was not easy to stop being so hard on myself every time I looked in the mirror. It took (a very long) time to change the way I perceived my body. Fortunately, the internet has created a community filled with body-positive bloggers and Youtubers who made me feel like I should be proud of my skin. I began to spend my Saturday mornings watching videos from Style Like U’s What’s Underneath Project. This self-acceptance movement helped me begin to feel more comfortable in the body I had. I loved how every video of this project ended with the quote, “In my body is a good place to be.” I aspired to be someone who fully believed that was true.
I was lucky enough to have a small group of friends in high school who were always loving and supportive. To this day, we have maintained a strong friendship and continue to uplift and motivate each other on a daily basis. I also found new role models who exemplified what it means to truly love and embrace who you are. Yet, I have to admit that I still struggle with body image issues. I do believe that prioritizing strong friendships and finding good role models will contribute to a positive lifestyle. However, body positivity is something that I continue to work on everyday of my life. I have achieved a much healthier mindset and I can say that in my body is a good place to be, even on days where I feel insecure. I continue to remind myself that I am worthy of love, and no one is going to love me more than I can love myself.