LOVE YOUR BODY

You don’t need to have an hourglass figure to be confident and happy

Too fat, too short, too dark, too flat. Most of us have at least one physical aspect that we wish we could change. Why are we as women so critical of our bodies? The answers could lie in the way ideals of beauty are drilled into us from an early age. Millions of dollars are spent every year to convince women that they are not okay the way they are. And that they have to alter or camouflage their perceived imperfections to be accepted and loved. We are expected to look young, fresh, thin and pretty at all times, and it doesn’t help that most of the judgement and scrutiny thrown our way comes from other women. It’s almost as if the universe has taken it upon itself to tell us that we are not good enough and we’ve started believing it. That’s why we have tomes of articles and videos telling us how to make our round face sleeker, skinny face fuller, straight hair wavier and curly hair straighter. How a certain kind of bra will give us curves in the right places and how body shaping underwear will sculpt us down to perfection. Let’s go a little easy on ourselves, shall we?

BLOW YOURSELF A KISS every time you look in the mirror. It may seem silly and frivolous but it works wonders at the subconscious level. Take it as the first step towards learning to love yourself.

RECOGNISE that body positivity is not about “letting go” and giving in to unhealthy lifestyle habits. Self-love should involve taking good care of yourself, eating healthy, grooming yourself well and staying fit.

DON’T WAIT to wear what you’ve been wanting to wear. You don’t need a bikini body to wear a bikini, you only need a bikini and a body.

FIGHT THE URGE to compare yourself to others. Acknowledge that you cannot be like anyone else. Be the best version of yourself. DON’T LET OTHERS OPINIONS GET TO YOUR HEAD and this includes compliments too. If you train yourself to be immune to praise, you will automatically become indifferent to criticism.