I’ll admit something to you all. I like my body better naked than I do in clothes. Naked, I’m curvy hips, a small waist and boobs. In clothes I become size 12 hips, size 8 waist and have boobs that barely fit into an A cup.
Body shape has become defined by a label, a number or a thigh gap scale. Girls are now so obsessed with numbers that they don’t look at what is in front of them.
Now I’m not going to say that every day I wake up and think “POW! I LOOK LIKE A VICTORIA’S SECRET MODEL!” Hardly! I’ll admit I’m definitely more Botticelli than Miranda Kerr and some days I just want to stay in bed because jeans seem like a terrible idea. But if I like my body five out of seven days a week, that’s a win. I’ll add a photo of myself to this article not so you can be the judge but so I can show you what I like about myself.
I think the problem is that we are constantly comparing ourselves to those around us instead of looking at what we have to offer. We’re surrounded by clothes sizes, 16 year old models wearing adult clothes, thigh gaps, calorie indexes…. the list goes on.
I strongly believe that you should eat healthily and exercise but if you want to treat yourself; Do it! As my best friend Eloise would say “small fries, small thighs”, “large fries, large thighs”; everything in moderation. I seriously want to smack Kate Moss for that famous comment “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!” She has clearly not had a cheeseburger in a very long time! Can’t we all just enjoy food whether it’s a carrot or a cupcake instead of worrying about how our bodies look to others?
So girls, let’s try to stop the hate. Please try this for me; look in the mirror and say to yourself, what do I like about myself? (Me? I like my bum. I would say it’s my best ass-et…. Wow I’m so witty.) Then I want you to smile and say ‘wow I have a great ______.’ Then ask you best friend what they think is your best asset. You may be genuinely surprised. Then the next time you’re out, keep that going in your head.
Positive body image and confidence comes from how you present yourself. There will always be someone who notices the good things you like about yourself and more. There’s no point in worrying about those who don’t appreciate you for who you are.
Oh and go and have a cheeseburger, they’re awesome!
All original images.
Eleanor Mcphee