Beauty and the Body

rampantlinguist:

Guys.

Guyssss.

Why are you doing it to yourself? Why have you created this? Why are you reblogging this? 

Ok, yes, I know why. 1. The magazines and internet are telling you that only a photoshopped woman is beautiful, just to make you buy things (that aren’t even Photoshop). 2. The kids at school or online (or even That Guy) are bullying you and telling you that you’re indeed ugly. So you took it upon yourself to make yourself numb to the pain that others are inflicting on you by inflicting the same pain upon yourself. 

I know why because that’s what I’ve done for most of my life. 

But you know what?

It doesn’t work this way.

 Telling yourself the very same thing the media (which want to sell products at any cost) or the kids at school/online (who would put down ANYBODY just to make themselves feel better) does not make you more numb, accustomed or resilient to the hurt. It makes you even more hurt. It makes you feel even more like shit. It makes you MUCH, MUCH LESS RESILIENT. Because the only person that should be sure to stand up for you - YOURSELF - is also turning their back on you. 

Stop doing it to yourself.

Stop acknowledging the vision of beauty somebody else has (that, well, doesn’t contain you) as your own. Because you know what? It doesn’t have to be your vision of beauty. 

Fuck, it isn’t even the majority of people’s vision of beauty. Mainly because people’s tastes are so different it’s statistically impossible.

Not everyone has to appreciate your beauty in order for you to start appreciating it. You’ll never be appreciated by EVERYONE; it doesn’t happen to anybody.

Think a gorgeous girl, woman or whoever. Your favourite actress. That one lovely girl at school. Can you see her in your imagination? Lovely, isn’t she?

And now realize this: Someone doesn’t like her looks. Someone called her ugly. She thought she’s ugly at least once in her life. She harmed her own body at least once, even if not physically, she did it mentally.

Because that’s how society is. Hurtful to what OR whom they don’t like, trying to put EVERY SINGLE PERSON down.  But you know what? What one person doesn’t like, another will consider gorgeous. Because they don’t have to conform with anybody’s vision of beauty. If That Guy’s vision of beauty doesn’t contain you - he’s not That Guy.

And you don’t have to conform with anyone’s vision of beauty either. You can think you’re beautiful. You can like and love yourself.

You can make a change in your mentality. But it’s up to you, not to somebody’s approval, to make it.

BE BRAVE! JOIN THE BODY PEACE REVOLUTION!

One thing that I think is really positive about these online communities is that they can respond and support each other in real time. Especially because negative self image is such a self-centered disease, I think it is really good for young women to know that there are others out there who have the same problems. I think I like the revolution language. Yes, young women are going to have to accept their bodies as being more than just curves and touching thighs, but I also think they (we) will need to be active in expressing their displeasure to those who continue to perpetuate the beauty myth.

-M

(via stophatingyourbody)