Your Own Worst Enemy: Letting Go Of Negative Body Image

This isn’t a long post, but an important one.

An acquaintance of mine recently posted a status update on social media: “I got up this morning, looked in the mirror, and truly hated what I saw looking back at me.”  This is a hard working, dedicated, intelligent, physically fit, beautiful person who is referring to the fact that she hates the signs of ageing she sees and the associated changes to her outward appearance.

Although my heart went out to her, I suppose that I can understand where she is coming from. All of us can be our own worst critic and enemy. Wherever the negativity stems from – our ageing appearance, weight gain, weight/muscle loss, or simply comparing our natural features to others around us – these thoughts can be incredibly destructive.

Negative thoughts about our own self worth and body image will naturally arise. However, we need to remember that this sort of thinking will only lead to perpetual negativity, in many other facets of our life.

This morning, I caught myself being overly critical of the dark circles under my eyes and my seemingly growing ‘double chin’. I stopped myself mid-thought, though, remembering the sense of sympathy and compassion I felt for my friend last week. “You were up two times last night with Thomas AND are growing a human, Kelly. Give yourself a break!” 

Let’s aim to be a little kinder to ourselves, okay? Sure, there’s always room for self improvement, but we’ll never achieve anything unless we love and respect ourselves in the first place.

….and lastly: please excuse the language, but it must be said:

Now, think of THREE things you really like about yourself!!!

(I’m serious! Do it! Right now!)