Body positivity is about knowing and accepting your body type as it is. Unlearn and challenge the unreal beauty standards that the popular culture and society have been claiming to be ideal
We all have doubted the shape of our bodies at some point in our lives; how our curves are reflected in the mirror has led to a drop in confidence and paved the path for disbeliefs and doubts in our minds. The unsolicited comments that we encounter throughout our lives plant the seed of uncertainties and doubts that may lead to eating disorders, feeling belittled and social anxiety.
We can’t stop people from expressing their minds in words but we can work on ourselves. When we make an effort to understand that we don’t have to pay attention to their words; opinions don’t shape us and shouldn’t become the ideologies we have to live our lives by. We need to understand the importance of living an abundant life and working towards bringing body positivity and self-confidence into our lives.
Body positivity is about knowing and accepting your body type as it is irrespective of sizes, shapes, physical abilities and colours. Loving yourself in all of its forms and living with confidence and fortitude. It is about unlearning and challenging the unreal beauty standards that the popular culture and society have been claiming to be ideal.
We have often heard the term body positivity and let’s take three steps in inculcating it in our lives and embodying it.
Know your body
It’s not easy to defeat darkness without even knowing what it is and how it’s affecting your life. Take time to reflect on your daily routine and you’ll find tiny changes that you can add to your lifestyle to be more mindful of your body confidence. Sit back and think about what are the things that encourage you to be authentically you without adulteration from the world. Put effort into knowing what makes you feel good about your body. Is it the new dress hanging in your cupboard or a new exercise routine or even a new way you like to be touched? Know that there are no bad or good body types. Try to learn about your body type and take time out from your usual schedule to get to know your body and what makes it tick.
Accept yourself
I was told throughout my childhood that I was too fat to the point in my later years that I developed an eating disorder. Things became even more difficult for me because I’m an emotional eater. I like to eat when I’m overwhelmed or happy or sad and it is always followed by guilt. It took me years and a lot of professional help to accept myself and my body as it is.
Before we can move onto the path of pride, we will have to accept ourselves and accept our bodies. For years, we’ve spent our time wishing about how we should’ve looked rather than accepting and loving our bodies as we are. Accepting can become challenging because you’ll have to tune out all the negativities and mean comments and thoughts you’ve been unconsciously entertaining.
My advice would be to remind yourself of your divinity and sexy, brilliant self. Once you start saying it to yourself every day, it won’t be long before you start believing in it. When you accept that you are sexy and brilliant as you are, you will feel a surge of confidence and pride in yourself and your body.
Unlearn for authentic living
We all have heard what a beautiful person should look and dress like, what are the foolproof methods to get ‘that’ body and what you should and shouldn’t eat to get the definitive body type that people admire. Say no to them. It’s your turn to unlearn those definitions, remarks, and beliefs and make rules for yourself as you like them. The notions that have been idealised for years now are deemed to be toxic and should be unlearned and unheard of now. Learn what works for you, the clothes that make you shine and feel comfortable on your skin and your body and from there it will be easier to live authentically.
Do what makes you happy and feel healthy, go out on walks, exercise regularly, surround yourself with positive people and add meditative sessions so you spend enough time with yourself to know what your body actually wants. Remind yourself that you are your top priority and self-care is the most important kind of love that you can show yourself. Listen to your inner calling, challenge the negative thoughts and follow that path. It will be a challenging path but it’ll be worth your efforts and time. Practice radical self-acceptance, embrace your inner self and let it shine in front of the world.
(The author is Inspirational Speaker, Radio Host & Founder, Sexy Brilliant Non-Profit Foundation)