I recently came across a photo. I saw myself at the age of 16, in the middle of puberty. I had cropped hair. I thought it was chic. Besides, my hair never did what I wanted it to. I looked different to everyone I grew up with. And I definitely struggled with my appearance.
Today, I am convinced that we take our appearance far too seriously. We are so strict with ourselves: too big a bottom, too short legs, a flat chest ... Hair, teeth, even eyelashes don't suit us. However, we usually only notice these "flaws" ourselves. Others don't even notice them.
I have friends who work as top models and still don't think they are beautiful enough. Other friends avoid the beach because they don't want to show themselves in a bikini. They miss out on the best moments! People often say: Once I'm like this and like that, everything will be different. But that's not true because we always take ourselves into the future. One of my friends on Instagram put it in a nutshell. She wrote: "I wish I was as thin as I was the first time I thought I was fat."
When we talk badly about our appearance, it can quickly become a habit. Then you say things about yourself that you don't really mean. In this way, negative opinions about our own body become ingrained in our minds. Yet we usually find people who don't match our ideal beautiful.
"We should accept ourselves as we are"
Of course, it is important to take care of yourself on the outside. But above all, we should accept ourselves as we are. Embrace ourselves. You have to consciously practice this: Give yourself just as many compliments as you give your best friend. Accept the mistakes you allow other people to make, including yourself. And develop the selfless love you feel for your children for your own soul and body too.
It is important to focus more on what is good. Because everyone has hidden talents and something incredibly beautiful about them. That's what you should emphasize.
Being at peace with my appearance was a gradual process for me too. I accepted some things early on, but I needed more time for others. Today I feel really comfortable in my body. I reached out to myself and said: it's perfect the way it is! With a shrug of the shoulders and a wink. As a result, I feel much more joie de vivre. And I really enjoy being alive.
Yours sincerely, Barbara Becker
