Body Image, Self-Esteem, and the Influence of Society - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Body Image, Self-Esteem, and the Influence of Society - Introvert Whisperer Body Image, Self-Esteem, and the Influence of Society One of the scariest truths of today is that our self-esteem is often in the hands of society. It’s no longer ours, and we can’t grasp it and build it up. It remains in the eyes of others and how they perceive us, it’s in all of those marketing campaigns and in people’s ideas of what a proper woman is supposed to look like, what she’s allowed to do to reach that unattainable image of perfection.   But what lies behind the curtain of these insane demands and how can we pull ourselves back up so we’d finally be happy in our own skin? We might have a few ideas. Become aware Women are pressured to look and act a certain way ever since they’re little. You have to conform to many insane standards, and often this ends up almost taming your personality and making you more quiet, scared, and likely to care about what others think about you more than you care about yourself. Be aware of this and use this knowledge to remember that your own voice matters more than anyone’s when it comes to your own life. The focus shouldn’t only be on how you look, but what you know and what you feel â€" you’re not brought into this world to be eye candy for random men. Be wary of double standards Another reason why you really should stop chasing perfection is because even society can’t make up its own mind about what it wants. If you don’t wear makeup then you look sick and tired, but if you wear it then you’re unnatural and are lying to people about your “real” appearance. And then at the same time, you’re expected to remove all the hair from your body because hairless women are apparently supernatural. When you’re in a restaurant you shouldn’t be ordering a salad because that’s boring and means you’re obsessed with your appearance, but if you order a burger then you’re not paying attention to your health and you might want to check your waistline. Basically, it boils down to this: be stunning without ever spending any effort to be stunning. If that sounds unfair and impossible, don’t worry, it is. Basically, just do whatever the hell you want to do Instead of breaking your neck to please others, please yourself. Take care of your health and your body the way you want to, and you’ll be surprised at how much better and more beautiful you’ll feel when you simply start listening to your own needs. Perhaps you’re a low-maintenance gal who only needs lip balm to feel ready for the day, or maybe you want to go full glam and be a sparkly diva. Maybe you’re already pretty pleased with how you look, or maybe you want to go to the clinic and get a procedure done to change something on yourself. Maybe fixing that one flaw that’s been making you insecure is just what you need to feel good and confident. The point is, the choice is yours. I’m proud to admit I have had a cosmetic procedure done â€" and even though no one can tell, I still have no problem talking about. I wanted to do it, I didn’t need to do it, which makes all the difference. Celebrate those who are different Since we’ve been nurturing a toxic mindset our entire lives, it might take a while to change it. To accept yourself, it’s important to start by also accepting others, especially those who are different. Especially those who are different. People have unique ideas on what’s considered attractive, and that’s totally okay. Lift up other women and compliment them, support their choices even if they’re different from yours. Don’t let pettiness ruin your day It takes a person about two seconds to make a stupid comment. Now that one mean sentence is ruining your entire day. Does this sound right? No, so don’t let others knock you down. Don’t let their petty minds influence what you think about yourself. Celebrate your whole entire being every single day. You’re a queen of beauty and your uniqueness is what will make you stand out. Nurture that, because it’s the most special thing you have. Author Bio: Rebecca is an interpreter and translator, traveling around the world in search of the best version of herself. She is adamant about doing yoga every single day (even on the plane), and has a vast collection of books on achieving happiness and serenity. You can find her on Twitter or read her blog. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer