Self Love: where are you on your journey?

 

Hello again, I must admit that I am only mid journey at the moment I haven’t quite achieved the perfect sense of self love and acceptance, if that actually exists. I would describe myself at the self-like stage and I am 100% OK with that but will continue on my journey of learning to turn self like into self love.

 Self-love is a topic that is quite often at the forefront of current discussions but how realistic is it? Self love is something that we are usually born with. We do not enter this world with any conscious negative thoughts about ourselves. These are learned thoughts that make themselves apparent as we grow and begin to absorb the world around us and the reactions from others and the media. This is where things get hazy and where our surroundings can affect us; where our friends, family and social media mould our feelings as how we see ourselves from the inside. Race, weight, age, sex and so many more factors can determine how we feel about ourselves due to how those around us have reacted to us and our looks and appearance.

 

Society is now fighting back against discrimination and working towards acceptance of us as individuals. Advertising campaigns and some businesses can often target people who are focussed on their perceived flaws and focus on what mould people should fit into. For example, it is only recently that plus size models have been accepted into campaigns. Fashion was, in general, focussed and targeted towards those with slimmer figures and stores often stopped their clothing sizes at 14. This is improving in general but not in all businesses. The promotion of self love is on the increase and it is making businesses and people think harder about what they are actually doing and suggesting in their campaigns and activities.

 

Having a daughter with cerebral palsy has opened my eyes to accessibility in general. Again, this is something that society is improving upon but being able to take part in anything and everything is something that most of us take for granted, but really some things even today are not accessible for all and this can be life limiting. What message does this give to those who can not access a place, activity or even a social event? It gives the message that they are not good enough to be considered.

 

Social Media

 

The introduction of social media has had a huge impact on how we see ourselves and the relationship that we have with our bodies. How are people, who are seen to have ‘flaws’, supposed to feel when so much editing takes place to eradicate what is seen to be unacceptable. Girls who have beautiful bodies editing their images to make them look even smaller or change their shape is upsetting on so many levels. Firstly, it makes other girls feel like they may not have good enough bodies as they are editing their beautiful bodies to look ‘better’. It is promoting that thinner is better yet some of the editing that is done is unobtainable. Botox injections and fillers, to make people look younger, promotes the thought that fine lines and wrinkles are unacceptable. How many of these people are actually satisfied once they have had these procedures? Often, its the start of a downward slope of body modification. How different things could be if these girls with self confidence and self image issues could learn to love themselves.

 

There is the argument that there is no harm in people doing things to alter their pictures/bodies if it makes them feel better about themselves. Yet it very rarely does make them feel any better and maybe society should be working more on acceptance of our bodies and lives, rather than allowing the changes that really promote certain body shapes are not acceptable. This is the reason that self-love needs to be shouted from the rooftops. We need celebrities to promote that we are enough, who we are is more than enough! We do not need to look a certain way or act a certain way to be accepted we are individuals who are perfect just the way we are!

 

What can we do?

 

I am so happy to work with a company such as The Body Shop at Home with their self-love campaign. The Body Shop focusses on looking after the perfect bodies that we have been blessed with and loving it just the way it is. Self love is not just about how you feel about your body it is about acceptance of who you are. It is a continual path of growth and contentment and about being your authentic self.

 

Self love is about fighting against what society has previously taught us to believe. It is about standing up for ourselves and saying ‘this is me and you need to accept that as I do’. We can learn to love ourselves and promote self love to others. The world has been though some tough times in the last year and moral has been low. We are now coming out on the other side and its time to blossom. The Body Shop has pledged to inspire 1 million acts of self love in 1 year. Be the change, self love has to start somewhere so lets be proud of being a part of the movement! Its time to challenge your comfort zone and stretch your safety net. What will your act of self love be this month?

 My Pledge

 

I pledge to post a no make up selfie on my personal profile which I usually only post on if I have a full face of make up! I will also make it public for all to see. Do I feel uncomfortable about it? Yes!!! It will be a baby step but a baby step in the right direction.

 I would love to hear you pledges and your steps towards self love so please share them with me in the comments.

 Good luck and YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH!!!

 

#selfloveuprising

 

If you would like to read more on self love this link takes you to an article on Jameela Jamil and her 4 rules of self-love:

 The 4 Rules Of Self-Love, According To Jameela Jamil | British Vogue