Learning to Love Your Body

Between media messages and social pressures, it can often be hard to love your body. Sometimes self-love and confidence can even be shamed as vanity and narcissism. But none of that should stop you from rocking who you are and loving every second of it! You are an attractive and lovable being. These five tips will get you on the path to loving your body and learning to respect yourself as you are.

1. Your flaws are not failures.

Your stretch marks are proof that you have lived in your skin. Your acne is natural and completely normal. Cellulite is a normal characteristic of women based on the way that our fat cells are shaped; even super models have rounded fat cells. Birthmarks and scars are just natural tattoos that make you interesting and unique. These little things that you may see as flaws are what make you lovable. Once you accept your little differences, you can reject the notion that they make you any less than who you are.

2. Don’t get caught up in diet fads.

No body type is the “right” body type, no matter what a magazine cover might say. If you want to lose a few pounds or bulk up some muscle, do it for you. You are worthy of love and respect right now. If you want to change to feel healthier, then make that choice out of love for your body, not out of longing to change it.

3. Wear what you like.

Don’t let the media dictate what is appropriate for you to wear. If you like something, wear it. If you want to wear a crop top, skinny jeans, a dress that shows off your legs, go for it! Or if you prefer to wear loose fitting clothes because they are more comfortable for you, then rock them! Your body is your temple and you may adorn it as you wish. No one can shame you into changing because you own your body, and your personal comfort level with an outfit is the only thing that matters.

4. Respect yourself.

You were born with this body, and it’s the only one you will ever have. Know that you are worthy of love and respect. You deserve to be treated the way that you want to be treated. That respect should start with you. You dictate how you want to be respected and you should show that respect in everything you do, even in the way you think about yourself.

5. Look at yourself as a whole person.

You are more than the limits and confines of your weight, ethnicity, or gender. You are a whole, beautiful person. Look at everything you’ve done, all of your accomplishments, the person you’ve become, and the good that you do. All of that was done in the skin you are in. You are remarkable and you will continue to do remarkable things. Your body will not and does not limit you in any way, no matter how hard society tries to hold you back. You will not become a better person by looking differently.

It can be a long and hard journey to love yourself, but I hope these tips help you look at yourself in a more positive light. Your body does not define who you are, only you can do that. Why not love the skin you’re in?