It’s 2017 and, as always, beauty standards are changing. There are thousands of “beauty hacks” and trends surfacing the Internet. As you read this someone is posting a video changing their brows, or teaching you how to slim your waist in 3 minutes. But why? The world has come so far, and yet we are still teaching people to alter their bodies rather than love them as they are.
Living a good lifestyle and taking care of yourself is, of course, always encouraged. You should want to treat your body with care by eating healthy or going to the gym. But why should you apply shame? Why shame yourself for the color of your skin or the way your freckles look? Why are people being taught to use waist trainers or get lip injections? Why are girls told they have to have an hourglass figure? Why are boys supposed to have diamond cutting jawlines and rock hard abs?
Even the media is constantly encouraging body modification or shame. I, for one, am sick of it. Guys, Gals, and Nonbinary pals… you’re all beautiful. You could try for years to please others with what your body looks like but in the end, it belongs to you. So who cares what that guy on 2nd Street thinks? Who cares what that person in the gym next to you thinks? It is YOUR body. And you look great in it. Rock it. Go your own pace at the gym; it’ll feel a lot better than pushing yourself too hard. Need a cheat day on your diet because Lisa from the third floor brought her famous cheesecake that you’ve been dying to try? Go for it! You worked hard you deserve it.
In the end, there’s always going to be one person who isn’t satisfied with your body because of their own biased thoughts. You’ll have too many curves or not enough. Or whatever nonexistent necessity is missing. You can’t please everyone so your best bet is pleasing you. Wear that cute dress that hugs you. Bikini and Bathingsuit Bodies? They’re not real. Throw one on. Look in the mirror. Do a spin. Maybe take some pics. You look great. Bikini/bathing suit body complete. I rarely ever see body positivity posts on the internet and that upsets me. As someone who has recovered from an eating disorder, I can tell you that it really is beneficial to listen to yourself instead of impossible beauty goals. Generations always change. Hopefully, this can be the year where the only “beauty hack” you’ll need is to look in the mirror and love what you see. Maybe blow a kiss to your gorgeous self.
