We all know the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, and it has never been more true than in today’s age of body positivity. In this article, we’ll explore how the beauty industry is shifting away from focusing on acceptance and into a full embrace of body positivity. We’ll look at the ways in which self-care and beauty have been adapted to promote a healthier, more positive attitude towards one’s own body. By examining how acceptance can be turned into celebration, this article hopes to inspire individuals to take charge of their own self-love journeys and to cherish their unique and beautiful body.
1. Introduction to Body Positivity
Body positivity is the concept of accepting, respecting, and embracing one’s body, its features, and its quirks. It teaches people to resist cruel, negative, and unkind comments and ideas about their appearance, size, shape, physical abilities, and other qualities. Most importantly, it helps individuals to focus on their health and well-being, regardless of their physical appearance.
Body positivity helps to map out a healthy and mindful approach to life, which moves beyond external calls to look and behave in a certain way, and instead encourages us to treat ourselves with respect and take care of our physical and mental health.
The Benefits of Body Positivity
While body positivity may first appear to be about superficial physical appearances, it actually has significant potential to improve physical and mental health:
- It encourages us to focus on accepting our bodies as they are, rather than trying to achieve an impossible ideal that does not actually exist.
- It helps to shift perspectives away from destructive comparisons towards self-compassion and acceptance.
- It reduces shame and guilt, especially in people with larger body sizes.
- It increases appreciation for one’s own qualities, helping to boost our self-confidence and self-esteem.
Self-care is an integral part of body positivity, so another benefit is improved lifestyle and behaviour habits that contribute to better overall physical and mental health.
Getting Started with Body Positivity
Getting started with body positivity is a journey that can begin with small changes to your daily routine that foster a sense of appreciation and acceptance for your body. Some examples include:
- A morning ritual that involves physical and mental appreciation of your own body.
- Engaging in self-care activities like taking a hot bath, getting your nails done, or getting a massage.
- Incorporating more positive affirmations into your daily routine.
- Identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with positive and courageous statements.
Body positivity is not an easy or quick journey, but one that requires dedication and perseverance. Through small, mindful changes to your lifestyle you can begin to lay the foundations for a life of self-acceptance and appreciation.
2. Unpacking Negative Beauty Standards
Though popular social media memes universally proclaim “Confidence is the best form of beauty”, the reality is that many of us have been conditioned – consciously or otherwise – by prevailing standards that equate beauty with what society has deemed “stable” or “perfect”.
Facial Features
- Having a perfectly proportioned face in accordance to certain preferences.
- High cheekbones, perfect nose shapes.
- Not being too fair or dark.
The beauty standard on facial features – both based on gender and ethnicity – is often the most difficult chain to break free of as your face is how you are recognized in the world.
Body Type and Weight
- Having a figure that matches a desired height-weight ratio.
- Not having curves, or having curves that fit a certain mould.
- Not being too thin or too heavy.
This is an area most of us are conscious of, especially when the media is always projecting images of body types that are unattainable for most. It is especially difficult when “fit” is now equated with “sexy” or “beautiful” in current culture.
Loud Colors
- Flaunting bright or vibrant colors or make-up.
- Using loud patterns for clothing or make-up.
In a world where being wild and daring means being non-conforming, there is still shame bestowed upon those who want to express their true selves. Whether it’s through make-up or clothing, some forms of expressing can be seen as an attempted to look a certain way that can attract attention.
Breaking away from these oppressive standards is a unique process for each of us. We each not only have to unlearn societal expectations of beauty, we have to learn to accept and accept that being one’s true self is not only liberating, it is true beauty.
3. Cultivating Positive Self-Care Practices
Self-care is about developing healthier habits to improve our mental, physical and emotional well-being. Many people have forgotten to prioritize nurturance in their lives, but establishing positive self-care practices can produce life-altering changes. Energy to engage in self-care requires understanding and discipline.
Start with identifying behaviors that inhibit your self-care and try replacing them with more beneficial habits. Here are some ways to build positive self-care practices:
- Exercise regularly: physical activity helps improve mood and decrease stress and anxiety.
- Promote healthy diet: healthy eating habits will provide energy, maintain good functioning of body organs, and contribute to your overall well-being.
- Practice mindfulness: any physical activity that has a calming effect and helps you become more connected to your body and emotions will benefit your health.
- Spend time in nature: reduce stress by leaving the comfort of your home or office and going for a walk. Taking time to marvel at our natural environment can be a very rewarding experience.
- Find enjoyable activities: self-care is not just about taking care of body and mind. Allowing yourself opportunities for fun activities can lead to higher creativity and energy levels.
Pursuing new practices: Take some time to figure out what self-care activities feel natural and make you feel most connected. You can test out various techniques to see what works best for you, such as yoga, massage therapy, or meditation.
You can also explore ways to enhance self-care through finding communities with similar interests. Try taking classes with friends, joining support groups, participating in sports leagues, or meeting with local hobby clubs.
Making self-care an ongoing habit: Self-care works best when it’s seen as an ongoing habit and not as a one-time event. It requires daily, consistent effort. Habits are an essential building block for success. Start developing small routines that will help you stick to your goals and maintain an overall well-being.
4. Finding Joy in Celebration and Acceptance
Celebration and acceptance can be sources of great joy in our lives. There’s something so satisfying and uplifting about taking the time to truly appreciate our friendships, accomplishments, and hard-earned victories. Not only do we get to recognize these moments within our own lives, we also get to commemorate them and make them part of a lasting legacy.
- Host a gathering – Inviting your friends and family to your home for a special celebration is a great way to honor your achievements. Prepare some of your favorite food, have a few drinks, and take the opportunity to raise a toast to your successes. You can also dedicate a few moments to thank the people who have been there to support you.
- Create a journal – Have you ever wanted to look back on your path to success? Keeping a reflective journal can be a great way to keep track of all your hard-earned victories. Just taking a few moments each day to write down a few things you’ve accomplished that day can really boost your morale and create a lasting record of your progress.
- Celebrate your imperfections – No one is perfect, and there are times when even our most valiant efforts don’t end in success. Acceptance is just as crucial as celebration in that it allows us to be resilient in the face of setbacks and lay new foundations on which to build our success stories.
No matter how small or grand the goals, it’s important to take the time to properly acknowledge and celebrate our victories – these meaningful moments give us an opportunity to appreciate and learn from our mistakes, successes, and even life’s little joys. Find joy in encouragement, reminiscing, and recognizing the impact of your efforts. So don’t be afraid to have a party or share your thoughts – you may be surprised at the supportive and encouraging people that appear in your life.
By celebrating our successes and accepting our imperfections, we give ourselves the perfect chance to appreciate the journey and relish in the joy of accomplishment.
Ultimately, body positivity is about acceptance and celebration, because when we embrace and honor ourselves for who we are, we can focus on living the best life possible. By looking beyond superficial beauty, we can discover new aspects of our being to support, nurture, and appreciate, so that no matter what, we can celebrate our bodies, starting from the inside out.
