Your Body Is Not An Image

Learn to love your body for how it is and not compare yourselves to others.

By: Naya Dukkipati

“There is nothing wrong with your body. But there is a lot wrong with the messages which try to convince you otherwise” Rae Smith.

As girls, our bodies are often put on display no matter our intentions. Our lives start to be controlled by beauty trends and trying to attain a specific image. Body Image is an unfortunate phrase if you ask me. Simply because our bodies aren’t meant to be perceived or treated as such: an image. Each of our insecurities about what we look like can be for different reasons. We might think we are too skinny, too fat, too short, too tall, bad legs, etc. However, we are left with the same ruinous end—a battle with our bodies.

There is a saying by Nelson Mandela “People learn to hate and if they can learn to hate they can be taught to love.” The same goes for how we perceive ourselves and our bodies. We aren’t born hating our bodies; we are told to hate them -- to see them as an image that pleases other people. The thing is, how is that possible when we each desire different things? The question you’re then faced with is: “How can we look “beautiful” to everyone?

We can’t.

The reality is the body role models you look up to -- Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, Lupita Nyong’o -- are not everyone’s idea of beauty. Therefore, trying to achieve what they look like will not lead to your body insecurities being diminished; if anything, it may enhance them. Trying to maintain something that isn’t you is impossible, and it should not take hating yourself and a pool of tears to realize this. It can be hard to accept this, but you’ll be better for it once you do. You can change your body if you want, but the keyword is “you.” Don’t alter yourselves to fit someone else’s idea of beauty because you never will. Your body is not an image, but the home for your beautiful soul, so treat it like that.

Work towards your ideal body type and your vision of beauty. Feel comfortable in your body, and love it because it is beautiful. Not in spite of color, scars, cellulite, or weight, but because of it. Those things are a part of you, and as soon as you can embrace that, I promise you, you will be happier for it.

This may take time, and that is okay. However, there is one thing you can try right now to help you start your journey of loving your body. Read the sentence below.

I am proud of my body.

Now, say it five times. Did it? Good. Now, live by it! Let this be the saying that lives and grows inside you, so you can recognize and embrace your true beauty.