Every person has something they don't like about themselves. It may be your weight, nose, hair, or whatever the case may be. Some of us may have always had these insecurities and others have recently developed them. Either way, it is possible to love your insecurities.
There are a lot of blog posts and videos on the internet about people saying you should be happy with the way you are. But most of those miss the one thing we all need to know. How do you get to that point?
Learning to love your body is something that takes time and it can be a tough but amazing process. Here are some steps that I have came up with that have personally helped me and I feel will help you.
1. Shopping Spree
The first step in this process is to make you feel comfortable during your everyday activities. Go shopping for some clothes that you feel comfortable in and that you love. This is the one time I would suggest going by yourself so you eliminate yourself from any other judgement. Now if you need some encouragement along with you, bring someone that you know will support you along the way and won't push you to wear something you don't feel good in. This also goes for makeup. If you feel beautiful in makeup go for it, but if not, don't feel pressured to wear it.
2. #Selfie
We all take selfies. This is nothing new. However, if you get dressed up in whatever you feel you are most beautiful in and take a bunch of pictures, this will help your self esteem so much! Whenever you take a picture, look at it and say "I am beautiful." I know this step may sound a little weird (I thought the same thing before I tried it), but I promise this will help you feel great and you will start to gain confidence.
3. Show That Skin Girl!
Society thinks that plus size girls should not wear crop tops or bikinis because it looks gross. Well, they are so wrong! Who are they to tell you what you can and can't wear? Show off those stretch marks hunny! Don't worry about those boys either because most men don't care about stretch marks or those little imperfections. And for the other girls you are afraid to show your skin off in front of, they are too worried about how they look to worry about your crop top or bikini. That also ties into buying a bathing suit. Get a bikini you are going to feel sexy in. I also know for us plus size girls, finding a bikini is like trying to find honesty in a political race. Target stores just started a plus size line that I have gotten literally all my bikinis from. Whatever size you are, feel comfortable in that skin of yours!
4. Skinny Lives Matter
One thing I have noticed in some body positivity posts on the internet is some people shut down the skinny people to make bigger people look better. This is the same thing as calling someone fat. Accept all body shapes and sizes because some woman are skinny but want to be bigger, just like some bigger woman want to be skinny. Just keep that in mind, because you don't want to be a body shamer. The more you compliment others about things you feel they are insecure about, it will actually make you feel more confident in your insecurities as well.
5. Do You Boo!
The last but not least step is to be yourself. I cannot stress enough that if you are doing what society thinks you should do or act, you will not be happy. Do what you feel comfortable in and what makes you feel beautiful.
If you want to wear a lot of makeup, go ahead! If you want to wear that bikini, go for it! If you want to dye your hair neon colors, don't hesitate! Be yourself and I promise you're life will be so much better and you will feel great about yourself.
CHALLENGE:
I have come up with a challenge I would like all of you to try! In the comments below, I want you to write one positive thing that makes you feel great about yourself. It can be anything at all!
Here is mine as an example:
I love my hair. I think it is what makes me feel confidence because I get so many compliments on it when it is natural. It's what I feel makes me who I am.