This is a hard one for all body types,all ages and both genders. We all have something we wish was different about ourselves regardless of how comfortable we are with our bodies. I have had to deal with a mirror for the better part of a year now every time I change my clothes at the Y after swimming. I have had to either embrace what I see or hide from it. I chose to hide at first and each time I caught a glimpse of myself, I would feel shame. I decided recent to stop that. I have decided that I am tired of feeling ashamed at how I am and how I look.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME! I AM A HUMAN BEING!
We all need to remind ourselves of this. We are just human beings and there is nothing wrong with that. We are how we were created, and yes I do believe that the great creative force can make "mistakes" but I feel it is up to us with free will to act on how we feel we can improve ourselves. Just because you were born into a family that was poor, does not mean you must stay that way forever. So why do we HAVE to stay ashamed of who we are just because we may have stretch marks or extra places to hold on to?
We don't. This is for ALL of us out there, the thin ones, the middle sized ones, the short, the tall, the fat, the fluffy.
Find a quiet place that has a full mirror (preferably a place you will not be arrested for public nudity) and get naked. Look at yourself in the mirror. Look yourself in the eyes and SEE who you are. Look at your back, your rear, yes, thighs too. Take it all in. Note how you feel the first time you do this. Shame? Revulsion? Loathing? Now, stop and think about WHY you are feeling this way. Your past? Others who made you feel badly about yourself? Societal "rules" for attraction?
Each time you can do this,do so. Note how you feel each time. Is the shame fading? The loathing not rearing it's head? Revulsion giving way to feeling good? It will in time. This is not an easy exercise to do and if you have a partner you can do this with, do it together when you both feel comfortable. Show each other how attractive you find the other. Touch your partner as you tell them how you feel about them. In time, you both will feel more confident and secure.
If you don't have partner, just talk to yourself in a respectful tone, facing yourself, looking yourself in the eyes. It will come for you too. Confidence will come, being secure in yourself will come. Will you have days when it is less, yes. I have them myself. Even the most confident people have their bad days too. It is how you react to it that makes the difference. Allow the feelings but don't let them rule you.
You are worthwhile. You are valuable. You are attractive. You are you.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME! I AM A HUMAN BEING!
We all need to remind ourselves of this. We are just human beings and there is nothing wrong with that. We are how we were created, and yes I do believe that the great creative force can make "mistakes" but I feel it is up to us with free will to act on how we feel we can improve ourselves. Just because you were born into a family that was poor, does not mean you must stay that way forever. So why do we HAVE to stay ashamed of who we are just because we may have stretch marks or extra places to hold on to?
We don't. This is for ALL of us out there, the thin ones, the middle sized ones, the short, the tall, the fat, the fluffy.
Find a quiet place that has a full mirror (preferably a place you will not be arrested for public nudity) and get naked. Look at yourself in the mirror. Look yourself in the eyes and SEE who you are. Look at your back, your rear, yes, thighs too. Take it all in. Note how you feel the first time you do this. Shame? Revulsion? Loathing? Now, stop and think about WHY you are feeling this way. Your past? Others who made you feel badly about yourself? Societal "rules" for attraction?
Each time you can do this,do so. Note how you feel each time. Is the shame fading? The loathing not rearing it's head? Revulsion giving way to feeling good? It will in time. This is not an easy exercise to do and if you have a partner you can do this with, do it together when you both feel comfortable. Show each other how attractive you find the other. Touch your partner as you tell them how you feel about them. In time, you both will feel more confident and secure.
If you don't have partner, just talk to yourself in a respectful tone, facing yourself, looking yourself in the eyes. It will come for you too. Confidence will come, being secure in yourself will come. Will you have days when it is less, yes. I have them myself. Even the most confident people have their bad days too. It is how you react to it that makes the difference. Allow the feelings but don't let them rule you.
You are worthwhile. You are valuable. You are attractive. You are you.