It Took Me 21 Years to Love My Body | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

It Took Me 21 Years to Love My Body

In a world where loving yourself has become a rebellious act.

Stephanie Uliks
Feb 20, 2017
Pennsylvania State University
54
It Took Me 21 Years to Love My Body
Stephanie Uliks

Well maybe not 21 years exactly but for as long as I can remember I've known what a woman was "supposed" to look like. I also know that I was not that image. I have never fit in that box of perfection, but after almost 22 years of living, I can confidently say I don't want to be that image.

We teach girls from a young age what they are supposed to look like when they grow up.

My childhood was consumed by Barbies and Disney Princesses. With their perfect skin, nonexistent waist, round rear-ends and perky chest-- we were all being set up for failure. These unattainable goals set girls on a quest for perfection that would stay with them for years to come.

Fast forward to puberty. Every girl and boy's most uncomfortable years of existing. This is when we became hyper-exposed to the media. Supermodels and our favorite television stars were all living Barbies. How could we not feel the need to continue striving for perfection? High school is scary enough as it is without the pressures of fitting in and being judged on appearance.

Then we arrive in college. You think the world has changed and you can be who you are-- finally. Welcome, social media. Instagram does an amazing job of flaunting college women in bikinis and, once again, showing us how we are supposed to look. And to be honest, for the first three years of college, I wanted to be these girls. I was desperate to have everyone think I was sexy, beautiful, and perfect. For whatever reason, I thought this was all that mattered.

NEWSFLASH! It doesn't. It took me long enough to learn, but I finally realized my friends don't care what size jeans I wear or what I look like in a bikini.

No one ever told me that I can’t be happy with who I am, so why wouldn't I be?

I am most disappointed that it took so many years of starving myself and hating my reflection in the mirror to finally come to terms with my own beauty. With the help of my loving friends, family and an incredibly supportive boyfriend I have learned my self worth. I will no longer be defined by the numbers on a scale or the likes of an Instagram.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

6 Unrealistic Expectations Society Has For Young Adults

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

University of Dayton
2520
boy in adult clothes

Well over four feet tall and 100 pounds in weight, many of us "young adults" of the world still consider ourselves children. Big, working, college-attending, beer-drinking children. We may live on our own, know how to cook noodles, and occasionally use a planner, but don't be fooled; the youthful tendencies that reside within us still make their way into our daily lives. From choosing to stay up until 3:00 a.m. playing video games on a school night to going out in 30 degree weather without a coat, we still make decisions that our parents and grandparents would shake their heads at in disappointment. So why are we expected to know exactly how to be a wise, professional, sensible adult? It's not that we're irresponsible (for the most part, anyway). It's that we are young, inexperienced, and still have the sought-after, enthusiastic mentality that we can do and be whatever we want, which has not yet been tarnished by the reality of the world. These are just a few of the unrealistic expectations that society has for young adults.

Keep Reading...Show less
young adults
Lifestyle

20 Reasons Why Pizza Is Basically Everyone's Best Friend

Seriously, who wouldn't love pizza?

Ball State University
2371
pizza
Fandango

There are a lot of foods in this world, but there is only one dish that stands above the rest: Pizza. If you're close to me or at least know who I am, then you know that I'm totally obsessed with pizza. It's one of my favorite things to eat and I will NEVER turn down a slice, even if it doesn't have my favorite toppings. There isn't a day that goes by where I'm not thinking about pizza. I even sleep with a pizza pillow every night! There are many reasons why pizza stands above all other foods, and here are just a couple reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
pizza
Swoon

Why I Love Being Single (And You Should, Too)

Dedicated to February 14

Truman State University
24973
sex and the city
Warner Bros. Television

1. You don't have to feel guilty about flirting with customers for tips (or just for shits and giggles).

2. You can be obnoxiously flirtatious with anyone you want. You are free to be that girl that flirts with everybody and makes 'em all smile (it's especially fun when the guy is as cute as Collin Jost). No shame.

3. Making random men nervous with your superior beauty and intense eye contact just for the hell of it is really amusing and empowering.

4. No one gives two poops if ya legs are hairy (your man shouldn't either but *Kermit the Frog meme* That's none of my business)

5. The toilet seat will remain down.

6. There's more money to spend on yourself.

7. There's always this secret butterfly in your tummy that marvels at the possibility that when you go out this weekend you're gonna meet someone super handsome/wonderful/prince-like and have this moment of dazzling dalliance.

8. Nothing is that serious...you can take it all with a grain of salt...you don't owe anybody anything.

9. You can dance with anyone and everyone...or no one (Hello frat boi w/ glasses, I see you).

10. You don't have to fluff anyone's ego but your own.

11. Free drinks and dinners from single guys (It's not taking advantage if they're offering; a girl's gotta eat).

12. You have more time to learn how to love and improve yourself rather than constantly pouring your energy into another person.

13. You don't have to sacrifice your cheesy Jen Aniston rom-coms and Gilmore Girls for his Fast and Furious/other dumb action movie featuring blonde that is only in the movie to supply a relationship to the male lead and to make him look more masculine/empowered in juxtaposition (In other words, you don't have to deal with a guy being a crabby Patty while you watch your cute movies).

14. You can daydream about what your future husband may be doing right now (and not get stressed/guilty out because you're not picturing your current boyfriend that's crazy about you as your future husband).

15. There is more time to be spent with your girlfriends.

single life
Entertainment

How Girls Night Out Turns Into Girls Night In

To go out or not to go out this Friday night...

Washington College
598
Girls Night In
Milk + Blush

We've all been there - you've been saying since Tuesday after French that this weekend is the weekend. You're finally going to break out those new heels and actually put on eyeliner on and make this Friday night be one for the memory books! That is, of course, until Girls Night Out turned into...Girls Night In.

Keep Reading...Show less
night out
Entertainment

What Is Your Zodiac GIF?

Characteristics of the astrological signs, explained through GIFS.

Eastern New Mexico University
928
zodiac
Wordpress

Whether you believe astrology is a legitimate "science" or not, we have all found ourselves looking at our horoscopes from time to time. The 12 astrological signs all fall under one of four elements: air, water, earth, or fire. Air signs are rational, social, and love to communicate with others. Water signs are are emotional, intuitive, and mysterious. Fire signs tend to be passionate, creative, and adventurous. Earth signs are conservative, realistic, and loyal.

Each sign is determined by the relative positions of celestial bodies to ourselves at our moment of birth, which is said to influence our personalities. Find your zodiac GIF below, based on the traits and characteristics provided by each sign.

***Disclaimer: GIFS are meant to be lighthearted and are based on descriptions of signs from http://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/.

Keep Reading...Show less
zodiac signs

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments