This article is not meant to trigger anyone, but instead a personal story.
Since I was a child, I have always struggled with self and body confidence. Growing up in the early 2000s, body confidence was not as big of a movement as we see today. Even today, I try to analyze every part of photos to find the smallest thing wrong with myself. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, I struggled to accept myself even though I was at my dream weight. I have realized slowly that the number on the scale does little to influence how happy I am with myself and it does not effect my life path.
While every woman struggles with some confidence issues, being naturally curvy is another added challenge. You may be thinking, how is having a body shape a challenge? Because of how quickly society will deem it the ideal shape, then the next week it’s not. It’s a constant back and forth that gets mentally exhausting. Especially with the rise of plastic surgery, natural bodies are rarely celebrated instead they are immediately questioned. Is it a woman’s choice to get these surgeries? Absolutely, and people can do as they please. However, I just hate how society has made body shapes, including my own, a “trend” and have shifted to it only being attainable through surgery. With all of that aside, I have tried to do some real mental health work in order to regain some confidence and stability into loving myself regardless of what society says. Here are just a few things I am still learning and doing to help myself grow.
Getting rid of the scale
Personally, it does nothing for me except weigh down my mind. Every time I go to the doctor’s office and have to be weighed, instantly my heart races and the nurse jokingly asks if I had caffeine before my visit. I wish it was caffeine instead of my anxiety slowly eating me up. I now try not to weigh myself, and just try not to even look when I’m at the doctors office.
Realize clothes are made to fit you and not the other way around
Ah, the clothing industry aka my nightmare! The way the clothing industry is currently sizing clothing is so harmful to our minds. I personally hate our current trends of everything being a crop top or a baby tee. We see constantly women’s clothing now lines up with toddler sizing. I hate clothes shopping with a passion because of how messed up the sizing has become. However, you must know it is not your fault! Clothes are made to fit you! Sizing has become so inconsistent within itself it can barely keep up. Remember to find what you feel confident in.
Unlearn unhealthy habits
I struggle with this a lot. If you’re hungry please just eat your body needs food for energy and to keep you going. Instead of beating myself up for being hungry, I now recognize I need this energy to keep up being an amazing woman.
Have an amazing support system
Without my friends I would not be where I am. Friends are suppose to raise you up and keep you on the right track. Having friends who support me and place my wellbeing first has helped me a ton.
You can always beat any challenge you face <3.