How To Love Your Body: 10 Steps To A Positive Self-Image
Body confidence doesn’t come from trying to achieve the perfect body, it comes from embracing the one you’ve already got. When you hate any part of yourself, it doesn’t matter what others say about you because you won’t believe them until you feel it for yourself. We need to stop hating our bodies for their tiny imperfections. Yet this is all easier said than done, wouldn’t you agree?
I’m not beautiful like you, I’m beautiful like me. That’s why today I’m going to help you love your body by sharing ten steps to a positive self-image.
Treat Yourself
Happiness is… treating yourself every now and then.
Treating yourself now and then is the perfect way to feel good about yourself. You deserve to feel great and you deserve to be treated. Whether that be to a manicure, a new outfit or simply a new lipstick. One of my favourite feelings is when I walk out of the salon with a fresh new hair cut, pure bliss!
Be Your Own Best Friend
You can be your own best friend or your own worst enemy, choose wisely.
Treat yourself as you would treat your best friend, with love and care. You wouldn’t call your best friend horrible names and make them feel bad about themselves, so try not to do it to yourself. But I’ll tell you a secret, I feel like a hypocrite with this step because I do put myself down. But I’m going to try my hardest to practise what I preach and be kinder to myself.
Surround Yourself with Positive People
Surround yourself with people that reflect who you want to be and how you want to feel, energies are contagious.
Make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive and uplifting people who raise your spirits and energy. People who believe in you and encourage you to reach your goals. It’s impossible to love yourself, your body and have a positive self-image if you are surrounded by negative people who are putting you down.
Write a List About The Things You Love About Yourself
Love yourself first and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world. – Lucille Ball
I absolutely love this quote from Lucille Ball. Because its completely true, you really do have to love yourself first! An easy way to start is by writing a list about all of the things you love about yourself and don’t limit yourself. Every time you think of something add it to the list. Why not take this practice even further by writing a list of all the lovely compliments you’ve received from others. These lists are a great place to turn to when you need a little reminder of just how wonderful you are.
Appreciate All The Things Your Body Can Do
I intend to love my body today, love my body tomorrow and appreciate my body always.
My body is amazing and so is yours. I’m so grateful that my body enables me to dance when my favourite songs play. I’m incredibly lucky that my body lets me run, especially when I’m running late! Your body is capable of doing tremendous activities without limitations, turn your focus from your appearance to your abilities. Think about all the things your body allows you to do. What are you grateful for?
True Beauty is Felt With The Heart
You are beautiful inside and out.
Have you ever experienced a breakup in a relationship when afterwards you almost find your ex to be unattractive? It’s as though the breakup has shown their inner ugliness, that’s because beauty isn’t about having a pretty face it’s about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart and a pretty soul.
Accept Compliments
We are prepared for insults but compliments leave us baffled.
It’s kind of true isn’t it? Compliments leave us confused. Sometimes when we receive a compliment such as, ‘you’re hair looks amazing!”, instead of saying thank you and showing gratitude we will sigh and disagree with the person. Maybe we don’t want to been seen as too confident, but by accepting compliments you will boost your self-esteem and learn to love your image more. Own your awesomeness!
Take Care of Your Body
Eat less sugar, you’re sweet enough already.
I love my body whenever I treat it right, even if it doesn’t quite look how I would like it to. On those days when I eat healthy and exercise I can’t help but feel good about myself and love my body. Eat the foods that make you feel good and stay away from anything that leaves you feeling guilty and unsatisfied. Take care of your body and your body will take care of you.
View Positive Images Only on Social Media
We don’t appreciate negative vibes around here. Move along.
If you spend your time on social media scrolling through photo-shopped images of models then you are going to set unrealistic expectations for yourself. Images like this have been edited to sell products and comparing yourself to them will only bring you down. Follow accounts which will make you feel good about yourself and which will encourage you.
Dress For Your Own Comfort and Style
I’m nicer when I like my outfit.
If you feel best in red lipstick and heels then put them on! If you feel like a boss with your hair up and sweats on then own it. If you’re going to dress to impress, then dress to impress yourself. Dress for your own comfort and style and you’ll feel great in your own skin.
The Comments
Meg
Great tips here again. The last one is so true: dress for your comfort and style. It doesn’t matter if you dress in the nicest designer clothes, if you don’t feel comfortable, you won’t feel good !!
Love your blog, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Meg @ http://its.meg-ramsay.com
Those Positive Thoughts
> MegHi Meg, aww thank you. I’m so glad you enjoy my blog! Thanks for commenting x
Shawna
Great tips! Sharing this!
Those Positive Thoughts
> ShawnaThank you x
Shawna
> Those Positive ThoughtsNo problem!
Heather
Fantastic post! It can be a great reminder to think about yourself in positive ways but also to express positivity outwardly whether it’s online or to other people you meet. It can be contagious!
Those Positive Thoughts
> HeatherI’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting x
Sonyo Estavillo
I think it’s really important to love yourself and treat yourself well. I really believe we can’t wait around for other people to do this for us. 🙂
Those Positive Thoughts
> Sonyo EstavilloI completely agree! Thanks for commenting x
Aimee Barigian
Love this! Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing this. ❤️ It!
Those Positive Thoughts
> Aimee BarigianThank you, I’m so happy you liked it 🙂 x
Rachel
This is a great post, so many of these things are important. I love the idea of appreciating what your body can do. We definitely have to value all of the little things we can do, things we often take for granted, like dancing! And definitely accepting compliments, it’s so much easier said than done, but you always feel better afterwards 🙂
Those Positive Thoughts
> RachelThank you, I’m glad you like it! Thanks for commenting x
Shauna Walker | shaunacoleman.com
These are some great pointers. Beauty starts inside not on the outside like so may think.
Those Positive Thoughts
> Shauna Walker | shaunacoleman.comI completely agree! Thanks for commenting 🙂 x
An Aurous Author
I love this!! Your blog is so inspiring and it makes my day when you post. Thank you so much!
Those Positive Thoughts
> An Aurous AuthorAww that’s so nice to hear! Thank you so much 🙂
Debbie
Great post. It’s so true. We get the insults but often wonder why we are complimented. I really needed this. Thanks for giving me the boost I needed. God bless you!
Those Positive Thoughts
> DebbieAww I’m so glad I was able to help you 🙂 Thank you for commenting!