The middle of May saw Mental Health Awareness Week hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. The theme this year focused on body image; how we think and feel about our bodies.
"According to the Mental Health Foundation, 30% of all adults felt so stressed by body image and appearance that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope." Share on XSocial Media And The Influence On Body Image
In the age of social media, we are more aware than ever of how our bodies look. In an age where we are comparing our bodies with others. More aware than ever regarding the idea of perfection. Seemingly more aware than ever when our bodies do not fit in with the social norm.
"In the age of social media and apps such as Instagram we are more aware than ever of how our bodies look…and when our bodies do not fit in with the social norm." Share on XEvery one of us has flaws; everyone has insecurities and things they are not happy with regarding their body or appearance. I, myself, for years, have not felt satisfied with what I see when I look into the mirror. For years, I have wished that I was prettier, thinner, or that I didn’t need to wear glasses all the time. When looking at my reflection in the mirror, I hear the cruel remarks and gibes from others; comments which have since stayed with me. Comments which still affect my self-esteem and how I think and feel about my own body and appearance. It’s probably why that there are not many selfies or photographs of myself in general on Instagram; because I am insecure and unhappy with my appearance.
"For years, I have been unhappy and insecure about my appearance and body image. A reason why there is a lack of selfies and photographs of myself in general on Instagram or even on my phone." Share on XIllness Can Cause A Hate Relationship With Our Bodies
When diagnosed with a chronic illness, the insecurities concerning body image grow exponentially then we could ever think possible. We develop more of a hate relationship with our bodies, stronger and unyielding to change than ever before. When living with a chronic illness we experience pain, discomfort, and loss of control. All of which also can lead to a change in physical appearance. And which can have a detrimental effect on self-esteem and how we feel about our bodies.
"When living with a chronic illness, we experience pain, discomfort and a loss of control. All of which can lead to a change in physical appearance. And which can have a detrimental effect on how we feel about our bodies." Share on XThe Influence of Illness On How We View Ourselves and Our Bodies
It is hard to love or feel positive about a body that seemingly no longer listens to my signals. A body that is continuously taunting me, letting me know of its dominance with its unpredictability. One which I do not know what it is going to do from one moment to the next. A body which I should have the utmost trust in, but only reminds me that it plays by its own rules. A game that I appear to have no control in, and which the symptoms have the upper hand. It continually likes to keep me on-and-off my toes, both figuratively and literally! As I make plans and wanting my body to help me fulfill those plans, my body, however, often have other aims, having a mind of its own.
How can we love a body that treats us as it’s own worst enemy?
As the limitations caused by symptoms increased, becoming more disabling. The effects of such symptoms gradually became more visible, causing falls in public; the pieces of my already fractured body image became even more broken. Broken pieces scattered, and seemingly nothing I could do to repair the damage and put the pieces back together again.
The shame and embarrassment when such incidents only add to the insecurities surrounding my body image. It affects my self-confidence, such as the worry about what others may think. But also, it affects my confidence regarding venturing out of the safety of home. No longer able to trust my failing legs, and the unpredictability of when such attacks will occur only adds to this — a feeling of being stuck inside an unreliable body; becoming a prisoner in my own body.
"No longer being able to trust my legs and the unpredictability of when such attacks will occur only added to my negative body image. And a feeling of being stuck inside an unreliable body; becoming a prisoner in my own body." Share on XLearning To Love Ourselves And Embrace Our Flaws
But, unintentionally the neurological disorder has become stuck to my future, and which refuses to leave. A union that I do not want or asked for, but am unable to divorce.
"Life with a neurological disorder has become stuck to my future, and which refuses to leave. A union that I do not want or asked for, but which I am unable to divorce." Share on XI need, therefore to learn to accept the constant presence that the condition has and will continue to have on my life. I need to remember that, as difficult it may be, that my body, with all its flaws and complications, is also my permanent home. A home that with all its problems and the insecurities it causes I need to learn to embrace and love. To look beyond what my body can no longer be able to do, or have difficulties with to what it can still do for me. To remember how far I’ve come and what I’ve achieved despite the obstacles created by illness. And to remember that despite everything, everything that our bodies throw at us, we are still here. Surviving. And one that is still keeping me alive.
"To develop a more positive body image, I need to look beyond what my body can no longer be able to do, to what it can still do for me. To remind myself that I am still here, and my body is still keeping me alive." Share on XPerfection Is Merely A Social Construct; Not Reality
It’s easy to look at social media, such as Instagram and feel dissatisfied with our apparent flaws and blemishes against the idea of perfection on our screens. But, the reality is that perfection does not exist. Perfection is merely a social construct; no one or nothing is perfect. The images we see online have often been airbrushed. Or the many filters that are available on our favourite apps have been used to make the photograph worthy of being shared on social media.
"Perfection does not exist. The images we see plastered on social media have been airbrushed, or filters have been applied to them to make the photograph worthy of being shared." Share on X
Learning to love yourself is not an easy process, insecurities, and negative feelings toward my body will always be something I’ll need to fight. Body confidence and body positivity is something that I will have to continue working toward. I am not sure how, but I am sure I will eventually get there. But the more I read, the more I learn that everyone hides insecurities about their body and the image they put out into the world. Nobody is or looks perfect, and every one of us hides flaws or blemishes that they think makes them somehow less than.
There are many quotes that state that authenticity and being yourself is the purest kind of beauty there is. The moral of the story, therefore, is to be true to who we are, and embrace who we are, flaws and all!
"To learn to be more body positive we need to learn to be true to who we are, and embrace who we are, flaws and all!" Share on XHow do you practice body positivity and being kind to yourself?
