An Open Letter To The Girl Struggling With Her Body | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

To Anyone Struggling With Body Image, Be ​Kind To Yourself

Your body deserves grace.

1082
ariereal body positivity
Arie / YouTube

"I love that outfit, but I could never pull it off."

"Once I lose some weight, I'll wear that shirt."

"I can't eat that! I'm already too fat."

"I'll be happy when I can fit into my old…"

OK, listen. I've had enough. I've heard these words come out of the mouths of my peers, friends, family members' mouths, and that's right — even my mouth. I've let it go too many times, but I won't anymore.

I get that no one wants to hear this, but I'm saying it anyway — you have got to start loving yourself.

Not when you're at a certain weight, or once you have abs, or grow your booty, or get husky. You and your body, as it is right now, deserve unconditional love — from YOU, first and foremost.

Why are so many of us so cruel to the bodies that house us? We're so critical of our every flaw — cellulite, stretch marks, fat rolls, acne scars, and all of that normal human stuff. The most important relationship we have in our lives is the one we have with ourselves. Your body, your home. Take care of it, love it, nurture it, and protect it.

Don't succumb to the devil on your shoulder telling you it's not good enough.

Here's a fact: multiple studies suggest that about 90 percent of both young men and women are unhappy with their bodies and "resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape." Interestingly, "ideal body shapes" have changed significantly over the decades and what we perceive to be ideal is heavily influenced by what we see around us. For women, it went from thin supermodels in the 1990s to Kim Kardashian in the 2010s. We aren't shapeshifters, people. Is caring so much about achieving our "ideal body shape" really worth any of our precious time?

Earlier, I said that I get that no one wants to hear this because it's so much easier said than done and it's an everyday battle. Oh, and society doesn't help. It's so easy to ride the wave of negative thoughts that take control of our body image. Not too long ago, those thoughts would've stopped me from buying a cute outfit or wearing a bikini. I started to block those thoughts as actively as I block the weirdos in my DMs.

I realized that being hard on my body has never done me any good. My body — the one that wakes up every day and gets stuff done. The one that has allowed me to live life and experience all of the things I have so far. The one that's crushed workout after workout. The one that will lead me into my future.

Now, I know to love myself and the body that is my forever home (at least in this lifetime). Sure, I love how it looks, but I love it for so much more than just that. Trust and believe, my appearance is the least interesting thing about me. How about you?

Report this Content
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

186933
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

12800
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456332
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25661
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments