In today’s generation, unrealistic body ideals are an incredibly present challenge. Because of social media, we just can’t seem to get away from what seems like the perfect body being thrown up at us constantly. Over the years, a certain body type has become associated with a certain level of fame and success. Because of this, a thin, lean body is what almost all women and girls aspire to, not only because we want to look that way, but because it has been ingrained in our minds that if we have that body type, we will be loved and successful. However, it is extremely unrealistic to believe that there is a perfect body type and that anyone is less than for not having it.
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Everyone is born looking different, so we can not expect to grow up looking the same. Bodies are so complicated inside and out, so there is no way to compare it to anyone else’s. Bodies can do so many things for us, and the important thing is to make sure we take care of it. When people hear the phrase, “take care of your body,” everyone automatically thinks this means exercise and diet. While exercising and making healthy eating decisions are important components of maintaining a healthy body, body positivity is more important than people think. Loving your body how it is right now is hard for most people. It will be a struggle to begin with because of how our minds are trained to perceive ourselves and this generation’s tendency to compare ourselves to others. Just start with appreciating all that your body can do and be grateful that it can meet your demands. College life is stressful on the body, and it’s a miracle that any of us are even alive right now.
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There are a few things you can do to make the process of accepting yourself easier. First of all, get rid of anything (including people) that make you feel bad about your body. Whatever it may be, get it out of your life because you don’t need it. Second, do things to remind yourself of why you love your body. Put sticky notes on your mirror with uplifting messages, journal, do yoga or anything else that makes you feel good about yourself. There is no such thing as a perfect body and you need to remind yourself of that everyday, if not every hour. Love this kick butt body you get to walk around in and don’t ever let anyone, including yourself, tell you it’s less than perfect.
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