Understanding Your Body Image

Asking me why certain people don't like their body image is like asking me to understand football, or how insurance companies work. I don't know. What I DO know is that a lot of people hold body image issues with themselves. It is a worldwide, and very common, ailment that plagues our country. It is all due to impossibly thin models and public figures that are plastered all over the media. Over the past few years important figures have really been honing in on the media portraying an impossible body image to younger and younger kids. Finding who you are inside and loving what is on the outside truly is key.

Recently Arnold Schwarzenegger's daughter, Katherine at the ripe age of 20 has published a new book titled : Rock What You've Got: Secrets to Loving Your Inner and Outer Beauty From Someone Who's Been There and Back. The book is about body image in young girls and how the distorted image the media has presented made her hate her body image and was "freaked out"by what she looked like in high school. She was quoted as saying, "I want to let girls know they are not alone with the changes and doubts about their body."

More often then not you can walk down the street and see more and more people with crazy hair colours and tattoos and piercings. It is common place these days because more people at a younger age are finding new ways to express themselves. Standing out in a crowd and saying that you are proud of who you are is a new concept. I myself have piercings, tattoos and have indulged in a crazy colour or two on my hair. You really need to understand what makes you happy in order to BE happy.

Not all the time will you find that body modification is being done as just a way of expressing yourself. 14-year-old Ariana Iacono of Clayton, N.C belongs to the Church of Body Modification and has been in the news recently as having been kicked out of school for having a nose ring. This brings forth the idea that the problem may also stem from the judgement of others.

  Doing something for oneself, such as, having pink hair or piercings lends a person up for others judging them. The watchful disapproving eyes of others is another problem that leads to poor self-image. Ridicule and bullying in younger, school age children, have lead to suicides in recent years. Starting with a poor self-worth, pushing someone so much that it can lead to death. It is a sad state of affairs that it has come to this. I believe younger children should be taught about having a positive self worth and the consequences of bullying so this trend stops altogether.

Finding a good, positive role model for today's youth in an unapologetic world can be difficult. Many curvy celebrities are proud of how they look and aren't afraid to let the public know. Finding positive role models in the media to relate to that look more like you do will have a positive impact on how you feel about yourself.

   Thinking about what you DON'T like about yourself is always on your mind, why not trying thinking about what you DO like about yourself? Everyone reading this who has self esteem issues should sit down and write down 30 things you like about yourself. It may not be easy but it is a good first step in the right direction. Placing this list on a mirror or somewhere it can be seen everyday is a good tool to get you on your way. Just remember, everyone has bad days. Don't get discouraged when your hair isn't doing exactly what you want, or you can't find that perfect outfit just remind yourself why you think you are beautiful. Don't let others make you feel down on yourself because no one can judge you. Be yourself and find your inner beauty and let it shine through. You are beautiful, no matter what.

Finding what is right for you is important. Not everyone is the same: A person who has an eating disorder should never go through that alone and expert help should be sought out. If you or anyone you know is being bullied, a grown up should be consulted. If you or anyone you know is considering or has considered suicide, please, don't keep that to yourself. Extremes of inner issues can lead to major problems down the road for anyone involved. Don't let your or someone you know be a victim.