By
Brooke McKean
May 17, 2007
I was trying on bathing suits this weekend, and I was again reminded why I hate preparing for summer. The months before summer are an unpleasant reminder to girls that they'll soon be exposing the majority of their skin to the world.
For the percent of the female population that looks like the airbrushed models plastered everywhere you look, this isn't a problem. For the majority of females and me, swimsuits and other revealing summer clothes are an unpleasant reminder that one's body is chalk-full of imperfections.
Almost every spring and summer I have to remind myself that I still like my body because nothing will ever stop me from tromping around all summer in a bathing suit and shorts.
For all you who feel apprehension about your physical appearance, whether or not you flaunt your bodies, I have a few tips for loving yourself.
First of all, you are ultimately stuck with what you've got unless you want to spend thousands of dollars on surgery to look like the fake models on TV. Yes, we're stuck with our pointy noses, stretch marks, cellulite, zits and every other minute flaw. But, if you're in the 18 – 25 age range, your body is only going to get worse.
When you're 60, your hair will be gray (or gone), you'll have wrinkles, your breasts will be pancakes and your body will generally fail to work. So, the best time to start liking yourself is now.
Our society is so fat-phobic that anyone outside the norm is almost guaranteed to be unhappy with their body at some point in their life. I have always had a big butt and hips, and no matter how much I work out or diet, it doesn't go away. I've started to embrace my body because if I'm stuck with it, I'm going to enjoy it.
Second of all, don't worry about people's perceptions of your body. If someone can't see you beyond your physical attributes, why would you want to be in a friendship or relationship with them? If you're body doesn't fit a stereotype, people will have to see you for your personality and interests and not because you're hot. I figure that since my opinions and desires are so outside the norm, anyone who wants to have a serious relationship with me isn't going to care how I look.
And most importantly, love yourself to be happy. Life is far too short to stare into a mirror everyday and pick apart your body. In high school, I would constantly find parts of my body I didn't like. "My arms have fat, my face has zits, I have love handles and stretch marks on my back. ..." It could go on for hours.
I thought I was ugly, and that's not a fun life to live. I don't want to spend the next 40 years of my life wishing I looked differently. I want to get up everyday and smile into the mirror because I like who I am and love my body.
Loving oneself also changes how one looks to others. If you have confidence in your dress, style and looks, you are an attractive person. No matter an individuals' weight or body shape, a confident and happy person glows and is extremely attractive.
Now, when I look in the mirror, I try to tell myself, "I'm pretty damn cute." Life is far too short not to love oneself.
Ladies, I will tell you what my women studies teacher told me, "every day, stand naked in front of the mirror and recite Maya Angelou's 'Phenomenal Woman.'"
Reach Brooke McKean at opinion@thedaily.washington.edu.
1 Comments
#1 Anonymous
on May 17, 2007 at 1:43 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
No offense, but what have you said in this article that millions of other women haven't? You can shout as many variations of "love who you are girls!!! :)))" and you'll still be uttering the same trite, meaningless sound bites that every other girl tells herself in between diets and eating disorders. The worst part of this article is that I'm positive it's disingenuous.
"Second of all, don’t worry about people’s perceptions of your body." Wow. What a novel idea! I think I'll try it! Oh wait, I *do* care about how other people perceive my body. Dang.
If you want most attractive men to be attracted to you, you must be attractive. I'm sorry, but that's nature, kiddo! Like goes with like. Perhaps another thing you should know is that, no matter how far you go to disguise your underlying appearance, men will know. In spite of however much make-up, hair dye, or tanning solution you paint on yourself, guys don't care about it. In fact, the extent to which you disguise yourself reflects in the amount of respect men have for you.
So, yes, by all means, stop putting so much product on your bodies. Men also don't care if you have a little fat on the side, but there's no reason to glorify love handles merely because you're unable to get rid of them. Instead of pointing out how beautiful women actually are (even if they aren't), you should be decrying the vanity and futility with which the average woman comports herself. You should also encourage women to stop demeaning each other for their appearances since I'm sure that the average man does not care nearly as much and never will.
In summary, yes, you should stop caring what other women think, but a man's perception of you will more than likely remain the same no matter whether you're dieting or not.
Post a comment