Society has altered the true definition of beauty, and it has set unrealistic standards that we have to achieve- not only to ‘look’ beautiful but also to ‘feel’ beautiful. Poster girls and boys are portrayed with particular body shapes, heights, and weights, which society deems ideal.
It has warped social media into presenting ‘perfect’ boys and girls. No one truly understands the drastic impact this has on one’s self-esteem and mental health. People fall into the traps of eating disorders that can alter the courses of their lives forever.
Body shaming is not something we learn inherently. It is taught and learned. In today’s world, it has become a norm to criticize your body. Although it may seem like a small thought, this small seed of self-hate grows, consuming you. It makes you obsessed with “looking” a certain way and manifests the thought that fitting into this societal image is the only way to attain happiness.
Girls should be taught that the size of their waist doesn’t determine their worth. For boys, it’s that abs and biceps do not change the way people perceive them. Losing weight does not make you beautiful, it’s your inner self that matters!
We need to start being kinder to ourselves and accepting who we are. The only way we’re going to be satisfied in life is by accepting ourselves just the way we are: beautiful. Our imperfections make us who we are. Once we’ve embraced our flaws, no one can use them against us. Critiquing ourselves is only going to lead to our downfall.
You can’t always expect people to believe in you. And no one will till you don’t do it yourself. Our bodies do so much for us, and it’s time we realize that and love ourselves. Just the way we are.
