Self Image
The media has defined a beautiful woman by her size, shape, hair style, cloths, skin pigment, and life-style. Fashion is based on trends and trends can be in and out in a week. So, as a woman in this time dealing with the media around me, I had to make some tough decisions about how I looked at myself and the many women in my world. I had to make the choice to focus on style vs. trends, in fashion and when looking at body image.
My initial career choice was fashion design. I love cloths—the way they make you look and feel. With the right outfit on, you could feel like a million bucks. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. If you don’t like your outfit, you may feel less than, ugly, or depressed.
When working in the fashion industry, I saw trends come and go like the ebb and flow of the tides but there were always a few people who I looked at and would think, ‘Wow, they could wear that forever and look great no matter what.’ That’s when the idea of style vs. fashions and trends came into play. What if everyone played up their own unique style?
This began the idea that everyone has a perfect shape as well. There was no one hundred percent size two perfection and not all size fourteen/sixteen women were fat. In fact, because of different bone structures, height, metabolism, and other genetic codes, I became fascinate with exploring the uniqueness that is beauty. A woman could be any where from a size zero to a size twenty-four and be beautiful! If everyone celebrated their look, I think there would be happier people overall in the world. The point is to look at your perfect you. What is the healthiest lifestyle you can lead?
When working in the fashion industry, I saw trends come and go like the ebb and flow of the tides but there were always a few people who I looked at and would think, ‘Wow, they could wear that forever and look great no matter what.’ That’s when the idea of style vs. fashions and trends came into play. What if everyone played up their own unique style?
This began the idea that everyone has a perfect shape as well. There was no one hundred percent size two perfection and not all size fourteen/sixteen women were fat. In fact, because of different bone structures, height, metabolism, and other genetic codes, I became fascinate with exploring the uniqueness that is beauty. A woman could be any where from a size zero to a size twenty-four and be beautiful! If everyone celebrated their look, I think there would be happier people overall in the world. The point is to look at your perfect you. What is the healthiest lifestyle you can lead?
Recently, I took notes on my own behavior to get a better handle on my own self image. I called it “The Happy Experiment”. This is something I encourage everyone to try and it can be modified for anyone. I took a journal and started writing down the things that I needed in my life: food, vitamins, exercise, love, support, and so on. I set-up a daily list of to-dos: write ten things I like about myself, read two inspirational quotes a day minimum and reading affirmation cards. I realized I could not constantly depend on other people for my own happiness (other people’s support is just a bonus).
So here I am everyday: exercising, reading quotes and affirmations, writing what I like about me and what I have learned is that this has helped my overall view of who I am.
So here I am everyday: exercising, reading quotes and affirmations, writing what I like about me and what I have learned is that this has helped my overall view of who I am.
It truly has helped my own self image and when loving yourself, you suddenly have room for those around you.
You have more understanding when looking at other people and where they are coming from. In embracing your own uniqueness and beauty you are living up to your greatest self and are opening doors for other possibilities in life as well. Try it out, love your body, focus on your own unique style, know that the image of beauty comes in many forms, and dream big. Also, know that I am rooting for you all the way!
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Tasha Ina Church
*Twitter: @TashaInaChurch
Real talk...thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWell Said Tasha! If we keep comparing ourselves to some standard of beauty someone else sets for us we cannot measure up. If we look for, and value what is unique about us, we can always measure up to us!
ReplyDeleteThank you LaQuita and Dan! I had to share. So many people deal with similar issues and I know for me once I got to the root of the matter change was possible. I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
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