What is “body image?” Body image is the way you see yourself from the outside in. That’s not an “official” definition but has always been my definition. What does it mean to you?
What about “self-esteem”? That’s the way you see yourself from the inside out. Again, not an “official” definition. And again, what does it mean to you?
Body image and self esteem go hand in hand. They either build each other up or tear each other down.
Simple, right?
Well, it should be simple. Especially since we are in control of both body image and self-esteem, right? Things get complicated because of other influences that live around us.
Let’s take body image. Do you like what you see when you look in the mirror? Why or why not? Do you wish you looked more like ___________ (you fill in the blank)? There was a time when I would skip past the mirror because I did not want to see my naked body. Thankfully, I am far past that now. It took time for me to accept me for me, flaws and all. Enter positive self-esteem.
If you know who you are and are ok with that no matter what __________ (you fill in the blank) looks like, says, or thinks, your self-esteem should tell you that your body image is just fine. You are an individual, created uniquely to be you. That person may have a different body shape from yours, so your attempts to be like that person are futile anyway! It is totally ok to be you.
What are the different body shapes? It’s said that men have five common shapes and women have 10, according to theadultman.com and healthline.com/women-body-shapes. Body shape is determined largely by genetics, and life can be a little bit easier if we understand and accept that!
Don’t forget about self-esteem, the way you see yourself from the inside out. As humans, we are affected by external forces and circumstances. Everyone’s life is different, and with social media, we tend to see everyone’s best side. Don’t be fooled though: it’s not that bad things don’t happen; they’re just not posted on social media!
Your self esteem is your grounding, your foundation. Feed it with positive messages and surroundings. Associate with people who share your strong sense of self, who reinforce the good in you, and who value you as a person. And understand that those same people have a high expectation of receiving no less from you.
Sometimes mental illness such as depression can prevent us from seeing the temporary nature of some of life’s challenges for an extended period. We cannot see the goodness all around us. If you think you need help, it is always available. Don’t expect that someone will notice that you’re ‘sad’ or ‘not yourself.’ The people around you may be waiting for you to speak up. Find someone you can confide in and share your feelings. Your self esteem and body image work together to help you grow into the person you want to be. Remember, you are in control of both!
