your body is lucky to have you <3
༺☾ ༶˖⁺⋆ ☮︎ .⋆༶ 🪷 ع˖⁺.☮︎ ⋆˙⊹ ࿐
༺☾ ༶˖⁺⋆ ☮︎ .⋆༶ 🪷 ع˖⁺.☮︎ ⋆˙⊹ ࿐
As an Asian-American teenage girl, it was difficult to satisfy society’s expectations growing up. I was never conventionally attractive in middle school or in the beginning of my high school career; I was just the quiet girl in the back of the classroom who did her assignments while everyone else had the time of their lives. Every day I asked myself, “Why couldn’t that be me?” and without fail, body image was always the first thought on the list.
Even at twelve years old, I struggled with how I looked. Back then, curves and thick thighs weren’t “trendy,” so I always looked down on myself for having them. I wished I looked more mature and like the girls who knew everyone and had boys chasing after them. I wished I was skinny and had thinner calves. I was ashamed to wear anything that showed my legs and my stomach.
My junior year of high school was when my figure became more defined and my physical traits were more desired on social media. That was when I felt more confident in my body and had a positive experience with body image. Suddenly, I was worth boys’ attention and felt more comfortable showing off my skin.
Besides my body maturing, I still have the same features I did five years ago. So, how is it that I didn’t feel worthy of confidence or attention in middle school but I do now? I started my self-love journey during my sophomore year, but because I was validated by others when I finally fit the “standards,” I was less hesitant to appreciate myself.
This shouldn’t be how anyone learns to accept themself. Change starts with you and you alone, not because of social media or the people around you. It’s an internal process that takes patience and effort. Media changed the way I perceived myself when all along I was the same girl I had always been. You don’t have to change in order to be perfect, you already are. It shouldn’t take our broken society to make you realize that.
That doesn’t mean you don’t feel insecure, though. Insecurity is a natural struggle that happens to everyone, and unfortunately, it never goes away. It’s an inevitable event, but not impossible to manage.
Above are some tips to improve your negative mindset and body image. Your body is lucky to have you as its owner, and you are adored and appreciated by all girls.
From one girl to another,
⎯ jasmine ✿
