body image

As teenagers one of the daily struggles we face is body image. Deny it as much as you want, but we all experience it's ups and downs. There are bad days and good days, and as much as you keep telling yourself, body image is not just a teenager thing. Adults too stare in mirrors; looking at themselves from various different angles to see what others too see. It seems only a child escapes this torment, for a little while anyway. 

I can't exactly put my finger on the exact time that body image began to enter my mind. However, like most it would have probably been around 10-12 years old. It would have been gradual, probably influenced by my friends and others around me. Although, these days it seems children are being pushed to mature and accept responsibilities at a much younger age; a topic for later discussion. Although we are born with a part of us that will constantly pick at our flaws, certain aspects of society have made a group decision that this 'part of us' should dominate our everyday thoughts, especially adolescents.

A topic that continues to spread like wildfire these past years is the media's influence on body image. Undoubtedly, they play a role, indeed, how can't they when they envelop every aspect of society? Of course we have witnessed improvements with companies like Dove creating their Real Beauty campaign etc. However, there are still constant downfalls and minimal change. Magazines continue to predominantly display stick figure girls and include disturbing articles such as "how to achieve a thigh gap" (more like how to get an eating disorder).

However, it isn’t just the magazines and newspapers who are in wrong. Since the creation of Instagram, it seems all I see on my phone are pictures of girls posing in bikinis, sticking their bum out and looking like they are about to pass out. Not to mention the occasional pic of a guy peacocking his muscles at the gym. It's hard not to let these pictures have an influence on you, and even by telling yourself they are tensing or sucking in, the thoughts still enter our minds.  Consciously or not, we are given an image of perfection, one that is unreachable and impossible. However, these 'so-called perfect" beings, whether it's the girl in your class or your favourite celebrity, they too regularly experience this distorted body image phenomenon.

A recent inclusion to the model industry has been plus size models. Some think of this as a positive action, girls embracing and being confident in their body, while others see it as promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. I can see both points of this debate, however, still haven't quite decided on my stand in this huge discussion.  Yes I believe that girls should be comfortable in their own skin, however being obesely overweight is not something to aim for.

On a recent occasion, I embarrassingly found myself avoiding certain exercises, as I didn't want to gain muscle. Horrific, I know. My focus turned to how I looked, rather than my fitness level and it disappointed me to realise I had been pulled into the tidal wave of achieving perfection. Luckily, I managed to swim my way out, however, I know it won't be long till I'm pulled back in.

Not even a 3D cut-out of yourself would make you see yourself the way others do. Our eyes play tricks on us and point out any ripple, existent or not. So even if this huge amount of media influence had no impact, an idea of the perfect body image would still be created.

Appearance has always been something that is valued and cherished by all animals and humans, however, these days it seems to have expanded into something more darker and sinister. There is no escaping and as tough as it is, we all have to deal with body image issues. Hopefully, one day we will live in a world not so hung up about perfectionism. But for now, my advice to you, is to not let body image engulf and control you. Be confident in yourself and value qualities such as kindness and intelligence over appearance.

OG x

All photos sourced from Tumblr