I come across so many articles nowadays about The Positive Body Image Movement (yay), and I have something to say about the whole process as someone who is taking part of it: Patience.
If you are someone who doesn't see its worth or relevance: Patience. You'll see it in time. I'm sure of that because I know how insecurity works. Insecurity is our greatest downfall. As someone who has motivated herself through her own insecure thoughts, I find that it can be a powerful poison. It brings out the jealousy in you. It makes you think bad thoughts about people who haven't done anything to wrong you. It makes you so addicted to listening to what people think about you that you end up changing yourself and your appearance until you're doing what everyone else does. It also makes you paranoid. Am I doing it right? What will they think? Do I fit in? See, insecurity not only makes you angry and hateful, it makes you weak.
For a long time I was weak, but I didn't realise it. I put my defences up, and let myself think badly about people to make me feel better about myself. I fooled myself into thinking I was strong
—into thinking I was better than others. I let my insecurities let me become a horrible person, and for that I owe a lot of people a lot of apologies. I blinded myself from your beauty because I was too insecure to accept my own.
It doesn't matter if you think you are too fat, too thin, too tall, too short, too boney, too petite, too large, too muscular, too ugly, or even if it's something inside; insecurity will haunt you just the same. If you are tired of being mad, of living in dissatisfaction and unease, just let it go. A diet may make you skinny, it may make you look fit, but you will never be truly healthy if you are an unhappy person. Stop feeding yourself with the poison of negativity.
If you are someone who sees their body as anything but beautiful: Patience. If you think I wrote that blog and all was well, that I just continued on living happily and perfectly then you are terribly mistaken. After going through so many years of hating the way I look I can honestly say that right now, it still isn't easy. I still look into the mirror at times and nitpick and criticise, but I've learned to brush away and reject the negativity I stubbornly try to feed myself.
The thing about our self-esteem is that it is so quick to accept the wrong about ourselves. I invite you to be stronger than that. One thing I'm trying out is replacing all the negative comments in my mind with "I love my body. My body is beautiful." Keep doing it, and really believe in it. There will be days when that is the last thing you'll want to tell yourself, but it will give you the positivity you need to get through life in a healthful and happy way.
To those who are tired of seeing people talk about how ugly they look, how skinny they need to be and how much they need to work on themselves to be satisfied: Patience. The movement doesn't touch everyone at once, and some people will take a while to realise that being positive is easier and healthier. Don't force them to see how you see things, but try and help them by lending them your own experiences. If they still don't agree with you, then try your best to show the beauty in life and in them as humbly as you can.
Positive Body Image Movement should not be just a fad, it should stay here like freedom did. It has helped me become a better person. Right now, I'm happier, more sane, and even kinder than I have ever been. It has even made me realise the things I really wanted to do that were hiding behind my insecurities for such a long time. I admit, I still have a lot to work on, but I am still grateful that I was able to find my way. Being positive about myself has affected me so much, and I'm hoping that one day, it'll touch you too.
If you need advice, moral support, or just someone to talk to, you can email me anonymously (or not) on my personal account: ashleypolicarpio@hotmail.com or leave your comments on my private comments and suggestions box. (Right side under Popular Posts)
You can also read more about my story here: The Real Problem
