Monkey See, Monkey Be

TRIGGER WARNING

This post is going to serve as a reminder that your body is beautiful, and that the way you feel about your body is okay, and the (safe!) changes you'd like to make to your body are okay. This post will also serve as a reminder that your body, although just a body, is never something to be ashamed of. If you feel you do not belong in your body, let this serve as a reminder that you are valid in your feelings, too.

In my poll question, I asked, "What do you think gives people the worst body image?" The results were as follows:

• Media/outside influences: 14
• Other people (not intentionally): 8
• Other people (intentionally): 4
• Themselves: 1

It was interesting to see that people voted the most for the media and outside influences. I genuinely thought it would have been the last one. But I'd like to explore that, I think.

Do you think one influences the other? Do you think that upon seeing the media and outside influences, we then turn inward and start comparing? Even with the other choices, do you think that other people can unintentionally make us turn inward? Do you think that intentional harsh words and sideways from people can also bring us to turn inward? Or do you think that it's completely separate?

I'm not so sure. Some people genuinely are their own worst enemy, but where are those roots?

I think that no matter what, we are the ones that critique us the most. No matter what influences - outside, inside, people, things, ourselves, etc. - it will always be us who has the final emotion. Intentional or otherwise, sometimes we lose the battles over how we feel about ourselves. And it's strange to see what one will do to fix the problem, or try to.

I think that sometimes, seeing influences in media is good. Realizing one body might suit you better. Realizing that you aren't alone in the way you'd prefer your body to be. It's super helpful to see that you're part of a crowd, when your  mind is telling you that you only stand out.

However, sometimes it's hard to be part of a crowd when everything around you is screaming that for some reason or another, you're wrong. I may not be louder than that voice, but just a heads up, I'm pretty loud.

If you don't feel beautiful, you are.
If you don't feel right in your body, you're valid.
If you feel someone is more beautiful, they're not.
If you think you're less beautiful, you're not.

You are absolutely perfect in every way. And if you can safely fix anything that doesn't make you feel perfect, you're valid in wanting to fix that. Safely, anything is possible, and you are capable of that happiness.

Our bodies are the most temporary part of us. Why spend our lives with them trying to emulate someone or something else, just because someone or something else might want it that way? Do what you want to do, for you. I don't think imitation is the highest form of flattery. The only person you can be fully is yourself. You can make yourself the best YOU possible, and there are safe ways to do it! The most dangerous thing is thinking you have to be someone else to be happy.

Be your best YOU to be happy.