If you have a body, you probably have insecurities about that body. Even the most confident of us can have days where we feel overwhelmed by body insecurities.
You don’t need another diet. You don’t need another hour at the gym. You don’t need to wear big baggy clothes and hide out in your room until you turn magically pretty enough.
What you need is some kindness. A healthy dose of self-love. And, if you’re struggling to get there, then it’s okay because I’m going to walk you straight through it.
Sit with the insecurity.
The best way to move through an insecurity is to get comfortable with it. And the best way to get comfortable with it is to sit in its presence.
I know. The knee jerk reaction here is to find a way to ignore it, dismiss it, and/or just get rid of it. However, those same reactions usually lead to whatever insecurity getting blown up and taking hold instead of passing you by.
Instead, let’s sit with this feeling. Where do you feel this tension physically? What was the trigger for this insecurity to crop up? What’s the negative belief behind this insecurity? What’s your initial reaction to this insecurity? What lie is this insecurity telling you?
Take some time to journal or meditate on those questions. This is an opportunity to learn about yourself.
You’ll find after meditating that insecurities about our bodies are rarely actually about our bodies. Typically, there was a trigger. We turned to old thought patterns that, beneath the surface, lead to a big fear we have about our realities.
Discovering your triggers, your fears, your underlying negative beliefs is the golden ticket to discovering your own internal gateway to peace.
Find appreciation for other bodies.
One of the best antidotes to feeling insecure about your body is to take time to appreciate the things you love about your body. However, when you’re deep in the wilderness of self-loathing, that may not feel like the easiest task.
If you’re struggling to name things you love about yourself, take some time to appreciate others. Most of the time, we very, very rarely ever critique someone else as harsh as we do ourselves.
Let’s fight some of these insecurities with good ole’ logic.
If you think the girl on Instagram who wears size 12 jeans is gorgeous, then why wouldn’t you be, too? If you think that person who wears a tank top looks amazing in it, then why wouldn’t you, too? If you think the woman who wears shorts and has cellulite looks great, then why wouldn’t you, too?
You don't need another diet. You don't need another hour at the gym. You don't need to wear big baggy clothes and hide out in your room until you turn magically pretty enough. Click To TweetGet moving.
You know why this is always a recommendation when you’re feeling crappy?
No, it’s not because of aesthetic or getting fit or trying to make your body fit some stereotype.
It’s because of the endorphins.
No matter what your size is, we all love endorphins. You don’t have to go to wild lengths to get a good dose of them either. A simple 15 minute walk every day will do the trick.
Getting outside, getting moving, getting some exercise. However you put it, an infusion of endorphins on a regular basis helps keep negativity at bay. As you may have noticed from the first point, your mindset is a huge determining factor in what (and how many) insecurities pop up from your day-to-day.
So, give yourself a boost via endorphins and get moving.
Meditate on your physiology.
Our bodies are functional. Truly, when it comes down to it, your body is the home that keeps your soul on this earth.
Over time, we’ve lost sight of that. Nowadays, bodies are “aesthetics”. They’re meant to fit into some predetermined mold of beauty and the rest be damned.
If you’ve taken a physiology class before, then you can go much more in-depth with meditating on the functionality of your body. If you haven’t, I highly recommend it as it’s absolutely fascinating.
Your heart beats just for you. You don’t have to think about. It does it on it’s own.
Your lungs expand to hold air. That breath makes it possible to think clearly, to sleep, to move, to dream.
Your body is built so that this empire that lives in you can run completely of its own accord. You are free to sit here and read this and still live because your body is looking out for you. Because your body has such a deep desire to not just see you live, but to see you thrive.
Your body is more than what it looks like in that dress or those shorts. Credit where credit is due.
Take space to visualize and educate yourself on all the amazing things happening in your body right now.
Acknowledge what you bring to this world.
You are not your body. You have a body. To ride your entire worth on an ever-changing idealization of beauty? Well, that’s just a damn shame because you are so much more than that.
You bring more to this world than just your beauty.
If you were to ask your friends and family what they think of when they think of you, I doubt the first thing on their list is anything physical. And, that’s not because you’re not gorgeous. It’s because you have so much more to offer.
What are your talents? What are your skills? What accomplishments have you done recently that you’re proud of? Describe your soul. What lights it on fire? What are your passions? What do you love about life? What are you grateful for? How do you show love?
Your more than your physical being. You have a soul. You have worth. You have a place here. Always. It’s time to acknowledge all the cards you bring to the table because you are so much more than just pretty.
