Love The Real You
~An Awareness blog about the issues related to body image, body insecurity, and body shaming by Sushmithaasri K N.
“How to lose weight fast” is one of the most Googled questions for the past few years. In this year itself, 1500000 people have googled this question. People are highly concerned about the way they look. When we look into the mirror, we immediately notice what we don’t like in us and try to hide it. One study reveals that in America 53% of 13-year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies and this grows to 78% by the time girls reach seventeen. Social media influence is also a major reason for growing body insecurity in this highly technology-dependent era.
Body shaming is also prevalent in today’s society. A study revealed that 94% of young ladies have been body-shamed. It is very depressing to know that many body-shamed victims have suicidal intentions. In Trichy, Tamil Nadu, a 13-year-old girl killed herself in her home, frustrated over her obesity. To overcome body insecurity, people usually fall into the vicious trap of extreme dieting and self-punishment. One must always remember the golden words of Lindsay Kate “Your body is an instrument for your use and not an ornament to be looked at”.
Body Image and Its Complexities
Body image refers to how an individual sees their body and feels about it. Positive body image relates to body satisfaction and negative body image refers to body dissatisfaction. Body hatred is a growing concern among teens and young adults. Often people feel insecure about the way they look and wish they had the power to change. People with negative body image consider themselves as too fat, too flat, too skinny, and so on. They find faults with their beautiful body, which ultimately pushes them into emotional and mental sickness. Negative body image also stops one from participating in social activities. Body image is majorly influenced by social norms and media portrayals. Unrealistic beauty standards also have a toll on people’s minds and perceptions of their bodies. People must never forget the fact that the so-called perfect body in magazines and social media apps has undergone tons of editing before getting published. One must work hard to become fit but not to fit in in the unrealistic societal standards.
The Magic of Body Positivity
Body positivity is a social movement that aims to challenge the widely accepted beauty standards and advocate acceptance for all bodies. Body positivity is the belief that every individual is entitled to feel positive about themselves, irrespective of what society considers to be the ideal size, shape, and look. Positive image is not believing your body looks good, it’s knowing your body is good regardless of how it looks. The four main goals of body positivity include:
· Challenging how society views the body
· Promoting acceptance of all bodies
· Help people build confidence
· Redefine the unrealistic beauty standards
Body positivity started in the late 1960s and aimed to end the culture of fat shaming and body discrimination. While body positivity has many benefits, one must also remember to take care of themselves. Self-care, self-love, and self-nurture are must to be physically fit and healthy.
Body Insecurity and Body Shaming
When we meet someone after a long time people often comment about our appearance even before waving an hi. This might be normalized by society, but still, this falls under the category of body shaming. We also see cases where a person avoids all social interactions due to their body insecurities. Body-shamed victims feel way too conscious about their appearance, they always have the fear of being watched and judged. This constant fear of being mocked deters their mental stability and ultimately leads to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicide. What seems like a mere comment and stupid joke leaves a lifelong scar on the victims. Body shaming not only happens to people who are overweight, lean people are also affected equally. We can very easily find lean people being called “toothpick” or “drumstick”.
Real-life Body-Shaming Cases
Overcoming Body Insecurity and Body Shaming
Body insecurity and Body Shaming leaves a deep scar in our heart. But it is not totally impossible to overcome it. We can build a positive body image by practicing self-care. Start your day with a positive self-talk. Surround yourself with supportive and positive people. Practice mindfulness and self-compassion. Ignore mean and hurting comments. Do not get influenced by unrealistic body standards. Follow body-positive influencers. Don’t isolate yourself from others. Embrace the power of your body. Be proud of your individuality and accept your body as it is rather than finding faults. For guidance and support, contact with someone you can trust. Always keep in mind that you are not defined by your physique.
Embracing Authentic Beauty
In a world that often scrutinizes and judges us based on our appearance, it is crucial to remember that true beauty lies not in conforming to unrealistic standards, but in embracing our individuality and uniqueness. Let us be the voices of change, challenging society’s narrow views and advocating for acceptance, kindness, and empathy. Each one of us possesses the power to redefine beauty on our terms and to uplift those who have been scarred by the cruelty of body shaming. Ultimately the true magic lies in nurturing self-love, cultivating a positive body image and generously extending that love and acceptance to others. Through this action, we can create a world where the worth of an individual is measured not by their appearance, but by the beauty of their heart and soul.
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Instagram: @sushmithaasri_14
