When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
Recently I’ve been thinking about the way we perceive our own body image and the way we look at others too. It stems from both conversations with friends, clients, as well as the new series of Love Island starting on ITV.
Ok, I’m just going to say for the record……. I do not watch Love Island, however, I don’t judge those who do. We all have our reality TV trash that we like to watch, to relax after a busy day. The Real Housewives of Cheshire being my Choice!
Love Island
There was uproar when the new line up was announced, complaints about unrealistic body types and not enough body diversity. The show is made up of young men and women in their 20-somethings who take pride in their bodies and personally I don’t think that is such a bad thing. In the words of Lisa Snowden on This Morning’s fashion section “You’re supposed to look good in your twenties”. I’m sure many of us look back fondly at our own early 20’s bodies.
That being said, if the people on the show were being unhealthy in any way such as drugs or eating disorders, then of course that would be very different and not to be encouraged, but understood. The majority of the contestants will go to the gym or do regular exercise, so surely that is something to be encouraged? I totally understand about body diversity though as we are all very different, come in different shapes, sizes, We know ourselves if we are unfit or unhealthy in anyway and it is not for others to judge. Sometimes though, we beat ourselves up unnecessarily………………………
My lovely friends & clients
Cellulite, stretch marks, flabby tummy, small boobs, big boobs, big bum, small bum, too thin, too fat.
The list could go on about all the various things I hear people complain about their bodies……………..but what about the things we LIKE about ourselves?
We are quick to compliment our friends or family members, so why are we not equally as quick to compliment ourselves? I challenge you to stand in front of your mirror at home naked. Yep totally naked! Now, take a look, what do you see?
Are your eyes immediately drawn to the things you don’t like? If so, retrain your brain, look at the things you DO like, I promise once you start looking you will find plenty. I challenge you to find 5 things you love about you!
Our body is our home
We all know it’s super important to look after our bodies, as well as our minds, we only get one!
So why waste our time beating ourselves up about our reflection?
If there is truly something you’d like to change, from a health perspective, that is in your power to do, perhaps speak to your Doctor, enjoy eating nutritious foods (of course have a few occasional treats too) get moving and do some form of exercise that you enjoy.
But above all, look in the mirror and love the person staring back at you!
Written by Samantha Derry, June 2019.