Good news, folks: body positivity is having a much-overdue moment. Old body ideals of just a couple of decades ago have given way to people of all shapes and sizes. We’re all getting more and more invitations to love ourselves just the way we are, and it’s a beautiful thing.

That doesn’t mean advertising/marketing campaigns, social media, shows, and movies have fully caught up to realistic body portrayals, though. There’s still work to be done. And in the meantime, you might feel less than because of your shape. 

But here’s the thing: you’re part of this important societal shift. If you can learn to love yourself the way you are, you help to break the cycle that has led to body image struggles for so many people. You can be the change you want to see in the world.

Easier said than done, of course. But if you’re ready to work on your body image struggles, not just for yourself but for the people around you and future generations, we have some tips. 

#1: Notice the negative body image self-talk

Start listening to the way you talk about yourself. Really tune in. You might be surprised just how frequently you’re criticizing your appearance when you walk past a mirror or talking down to yourself about your food choices. 

Becoming aware of it is the first step, and it’s a big one. Take a week or two to just notice what you say about yourself.

Then comes the work of putting that to a stop. Here are some suggestions:

– Stop letting yourself say things about yourself that you wouldn’t say about a friend. Take a pause, and then a deep breath to let it go. 
– Write down your negative self-talk. Seeing it in writing can clue you into how overly harsh it is. 
– If you’re alone, say it out loud. Again, hearing the words spoken can make you realize it’s too mean and, more importantly, often untrue. 

#2: Focus on what you can do, not how you look

Our bodies are amazing. They keep us alive, for one thing. They also let us move through the day, taste all sorts of different things, smell the jasmine blooming this spring, see the sparkling ocean, and feel a cozy blanket. Take some time to practice some gratitude for everything your body can do for you. 

Then, when you look in the mirror, don’t let your body image struggles steal the mic. Instead, focus on how awesome it is that your arms help you reach things and hug friends, or how incredible it is that your skin keeps your body protected from the outside world. 

#3: Take care of your body

Instead of trying to change your body, take really caring for it for a spin. This can totally shift how you treat yourself, helping to lighten your body image struggles. 

If food choices have always been hard for you, for example, reframe them. Instead of trying to eat a certain way to reach a certain shape, start noticing which foods make you feel good. Instead of trying to burn a certain number of calories during exercise, pay attention to the way you feel stronger or more energized afterward. 

Focus on how you feel, not how you look. That’s what really matters. 

You only get this one body. And it’s truly amazing. So treat yourself like you would treat a friend. Instead of fixating on your body image struggles, try to refocus on what your body can do and how it feels when you take care of it. 

If you want to keep working on your self-esteem, we have a blog with extra tips there. And if your body image struggles are really keeping you down and clouding your life, consider talking to a therapist. We can help you reframe the conversation in your head and get in touch with all of the ways you can love your body. Call or email us today.