1) Spend more time naked, alone.
We probably spend about an average of 15 minutes naked a day- showering and getting ready. Spend some time looking at yourself and remembering all of the awesome things your body does. Get used to your body and learn to love it!
2)Remember your body is a house for your brain.
Do something that you are good at, read a book or have an interesting conversation with someone who inspires you. Sounds cliche but what's inside's more important than what's outside!
3) Stop criticising other people's bodies
Lots of us project our dissatisfaction with our bodies onto other people. Tearing down other people doesn't help. We need to stop pushing society's bullshit onto our peers. Try to think positively about other people and then you may start to think positively about yourself.
4)Watch something body positive!
Swap SATC for Girls. I know it has caused controversy but at least it shows semi-realistic women and is more progressive than most shows on TV. And if you do watch something hollywood-y, try to remember that the people portayed are unrealistic tropes. You don't have to look like Ryan Gosling or Britney Spears. If anyone has anything better and more body-positive than Girls to watch, let me know in the comments.
5)Throw away Cosmo (or similar trashy magazine)
These magazines tell you that you're not good enough in order to sell you fake 'cures' that will be defunct next season anyway. I do like fashion as I think it is a cool way to express yourself, and it's an art form, but I don't like the way that it is often marketed. Don't read society's poison, or if you do, read it with a pinch (or a jar) of salt!
6) Stop dieting.
OK, eat better for health reasons or whatever but if any of you have read any of my articles on the Yorker (doubtful), you'll know that I am against the whole diet industry! Chances are, being thinner won't make you happier no matter how much the media says that it will. The underlying stuff that's making you upset won't vanish with your waistline.
7)Reward your body!
Your body is very clever. Do something nice for it, dress in something that makes you feel good, have a bath, do something different to your hair...switch things up! Stop focussing on the small things about it that you dislike.
8)Rebel against society
If society tells you how you look is wrong/repulsive, flaunt it! Eg I always get told that I am 'too tall' for a girl, so I used to wear 6 inch heels to annoy everyone and it was very empowering until I inevitably fell over (think Bambi on ice). For example: if you feel comfortable, show off your cellulite and scars or don't wear makeup when told or expected to. It's a nice kind of power, to be able to make bigots feel uncomfortable.
9) Use society's 'beauty tools' as an art form!
I use fashion and makeup to make a sort of kooky alter-ego when I am actually quite boring. Or I pretend to be a superhero in gold lame hotpants. Don't follow fashion if you don't want to! Don't spend ten years trying to find the 'perfect red lipstick' for it to go out of fashion the next month! Be experimental and daring and fun! Fashion doesn't have to be about body-shaming or trying to meet the patriarchy's beauty standards.
10) Surround yourself with supportive people.
Friends don't tell friends that they are 'too tall' for heels or 'too chubby' for short shorts, or not to wear hotpants because 'it shows off that you have no bum'. Being around body negativity will impact on your view of yourself. Call out your friends when they body-shame, whether it is you, the person who just walked past or someone on TV. These attitudes are unhealthy and you deserve friends who love your bod!
3) Stop criticising other people's bodies
Lots of us project our dissatisfaction with our bodies onto other people. Tearing down other people doesn't help. We need to stop pushing society's bullshit onto our peers. Try to think positively about other people and then you may start to think positively about yourself.
4)Watch something body positive!
Swap SATC for Girls. I know it has caused controversy but at least it shows semi-realistic women and is more progressive than most shows on TV. And if you do watch something hollywood-y, try to remember that the people portayed are unrealistic tropes. You don't have to look like Ryan Gosling or Britney Spears. If anyone has anything better and more body-positive than Girls to watch, let me know in the comments.
5)Throw away Cosmo (or similar trashy magazine)
These magazines tell you that you're not good enough in order to sell you fake 'cures' that will be defunct next season anyway. I do like fashion as I think it is a cool way to express yourself, and it's an art form, but I don't like the way that it is often marketed. Don't read society's poison, or if you do, read it with a pinch (or a jar) of salt!
6) Stop dieting.
OK, eat better for health reasons or whatever but if any of you have read any of my articles on the Yorker (doubtful), you'll know that I am against the whole diet industry! Chances are, being thinner won't make you happier no matter how much the media says that it will. The underlying stuff that's making you upset won't vanish with your waistline.
7)Reward your body!
Your body is very clever. Do something nice for it, dress in something that makes you feel good, have a bath, do something different to your hair...switch things up! Stop focussing on the small things about it that you dislike.
8)Rebel against society
If society tells you how you look is wrong/repulsive, flaunt it! Eg I always get told that I am 'too tall' for a girl, so I used to wear 6 inch heels to annoy everyone and it was very empowering until I inevitably fell over (think Bambi on ice). For example: if you feel comfortable, show off your cellulite and scars or don't wear makeup when told or expected to. It's a nice kind of power, to be able to make bigots feel uncomfortable.
9) Use society's 'beauty tools' as an art form!
I use fashion and makeup to make a sort of kooky alter-ego when I am actually quite boring. Or I pretend to be a superhero in gold lame hotpants. Don't follow fashion if you don't want to! Don't spend ten years trying to find the 'perfect red lipstick' for it to go out of fashion the next month! Be experimental and daring and fun! Fashion doesn't have to be about body-shaming or trying to meet the patriarchy's beauty standards.
10) Surround yourself with supportive people.
Friends don't tell friends that they are 'too tall' for heels or 'too chubby' for short shorts, or not to wear hotpants because 'it shows off that you have no bum'. Being around body negativity will impact on your view of yourself. Call out your friends when they body-shame, whether it is you, the person who just walked past or someone on TV. These attitudes are unhealthy and you deserve friends who love your bod!
YES. I absolutely love this, definitely going to share this and spread the love!
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