Positive body image- embrace what you see when you look in the mirror
Positive body image- embrace what you see when you look in the mirror
Remember how intently we looked at our faces when we were younger? Critically analyzing every potential spot and wrinkle?
As soon as we are aware of our surroundings, ads celebrate a gorgeous (young) woman; seductive and clearly desirable.
Soon, words and phrases start sticking to us, shaping how we see our own beauty. They either reinforce that we do match up to societal beauty, which puts pressure on us to keep that praise…or we don’t, and we feel like we don’t measure up.
One of my favorite songs is by Brandi Carlile; it’s called The Story.
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I’ve been
And how I got to where I am — B.C.
Body image and self esteem
Listen, I don’t always feel beautiful, obviously. So I am doing something risky. On an irreversible, very public forum, I am posting pictures of my face.
A face without filters. That, my friends, is scary.
Why do it? Because I want freedom, and I am fighting to bring it to you also. We are worth so much more than our features.
I miss smooth skin that stayed where it was supposed to. Heck yes!
I try not to dwell on what is fading, and celebrate what has come.
“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength”– Betty Friedan
We have the choice to criticize or compliment- Skin will lose its elasticity. Sun damage will show eventually. When we look in the mirror, we can study it with dismay, or learn to highlight our best features
Our wrinkles aren’t flaws; they are trophies- Each imperfection is a reason to celebrate. They are unique to each of us, and a record of our victories. It is so little about our genes and so much about our perspective
Embrace the lines and celebrate your body
See the lines around my eyes?
They celebrate each and every smile, they document the laughter that has transformed my life. They also show the effects of worry when I lift them. But all of the lines are unique to me. They are honest and let you know I have feelings.
The semi-circles that frame my mouth?
Those are from smiling. There are some from frowning too. But they all are relevant to the story of my life. So I own them. They are authentic and hard-won. They will celebrate your story too and share your emotions.
You see the smile that’s on my mouth
It’s hiding the words that don’t come out
And all of my friends who think that I’m blessed
They don’t know my head is a mess — B.C.
Our scars and imperfections are victories
And lastly, see the line between my eyes?
It is from malignant melanoma, which was caught early. After years of being told a growing spot was fine, a doctor took me seriously. Good thing. This scar is a victory. Hope. Health.
I am going to be really raw here for a moment. When I was young, people told me I was pretty. I had beautiful eyes, they’d say. How little those words mattered!
The messages I heard loud and clear, were that my whole person didn’t measure up. It wasn’t “standard beauty” (plumpness canceled that out, supposedly) therefore I was not enough.
Decades have passed; people don’t say those flattering things. The best part is that I am totally okay with it. More than ok! Because when I “had” it, I didn’t appreciate it.
My eyes droop now on the lids, one is lower than the other (I call it my pirate eye in pictures), my skin is spotted and scarred and flushed with rosacea.
In the mornings I look a bit scary, from too little sleep and living with pain. Some days? I look flat out haggard.
Old. Ughh.
But the self-critical feelings about those looks? They are temporary.
I’ve learned to accept my body with grace
Ditch the perceived ideas of imperfection.
I’ve never felt more beautiful in my life. I learned that my value is irrelevant to my features.
None of those perceived imperfections stop me from living a happy, full, rich life. And yours shouldn’t either.
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am –B.C.
Want to know the real truth about aging skin? You are beautiful because of the story on your face! It tells us who you are, and I promise…you are amazing.
Now I want you to do something. Grab a pen and write down one lie you believe about beauty and a truth that debunks it.
Share it in the comments below. Hey, will you do me a favor and share this message today? Someone else in our world needs to hear it.
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Thank you for your beautiful posts and all the supplies and ideas you share on Bible Journaling!! So many of the other sites lure you in with a promise of a free item, only to be sadly mislead-NOT the case with you. You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself and I thank you for your time and effort. Have a Blessed Day!
Christa-
Thank you for your beautiful posts and all the supplies and ideas you share on Bible Journaling!! So many of the other sites lure you in with a promise of a free item, only to be sadly mislead-NOT the case with you. You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself and I thank you for your time and effort. Have a Blessed Day!
Linda you made MY day, thank you so much for the kind words of encouragment