BODY POSITIVITY: More than just a hashtag

“Loving your body is about being comfortable in your body, and only you get to set the parameters of that. Only you get to decide what that looks like, and only you know where the finish line is. Never let anyone make you feel ashamed about what you decide, or don’t decide, to put on your body.”

— Brittany Gibbons

There are enough negative voices around us trying to put us down. And while that happens, we can do a favour and give the love to ourselves that we sit and wait around for. The negative voices are enough to make us feel suffocated and insufficient but deciding to navigate ourselves away from them is sure to give us a fresh breath and a handful of positive thoughts. No individual on this planet earth is born perfect and while people may appear as perfect kind, they have their own insecurities that they deal with. Making peace with those insecurities by embracing them is what makes people bold. It is said that, “You will never look like the girl in the magazine because the girl in the magazine does not look like the girl in the magazine.” This twisted yet one of the most meaningful sentences which has changed people’s outlook on what perfection is and what is it that one should be aiming and aspiring for when it comes to appearance and beauty. The world around has, over the years, changed our view point and has defined beauty in a certain way that forces people to sometimes think that they do not fit in. People think that there are certain beauty standards that they need to reach to or achieve in order to be called as “beautiful”, “pretty”, etc., when beauty really is found in every place if you decide to hunt for it. 

There is a notion set about having the perfect body which is the hour glass figure. A body of a human being is something that is the first noticed by every other individual they interact with and hence feeling negative because they have a perceived notion about not being perfect with the added pressure of the society to constantly look good is enough to have a huge impact on that person in every aspect of his/her life. This is where body positivity, which is more than just a hashtag, comes in. 

“Size doesn’t define your beauty and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. What matters at the end is how comfortable and happy you feel in your own body”
– Rucha Jiddewar

Body positivity is the recognition and acceptance of all body types. It is embracing every body type and redefining what is beautiful and perfect has been all about. Not only does it help encompass self-love but also encourages others to respect and accept the way you are without pressurising you to change. 

“My skin is not a thing I am ashamed of. I have Vitiligo but I never feel the need to hide it. I will wear me short skirts with pride and flaunt it off forever”
-Ekta Raj

Body shaming is something where people who do not fit in the definition of “perfection” or what is called as beautiful are verbally or physically humiliated. In today’s world, body shaming does not come as a surprise to us which only ensures how many people we are surrounded with, can be inhuman to accept someone with their flaws or embrace them for who they really are. These negative voices need to be shut down as they can have a lot of negative impact on an individual. 

“I am proud of my skin colour, despite of my complexion, I make ‘Fair’ choices and meet ‘Lovely’ people. Don’t let these beauty brands bring your confidence down after all beauty comes in all shades”
– Sonal Agarwal

Being too fat, too skinny, too chubby, too short or too tall should not be looked at as imperfection as that is just a superficial way to look at someone. Whatever a person might look like, it should be a choice and not an obligation. 

“I have been told that I look like an underage school girl. I have been rudely skinny shammed all my life. What they don’t understand is that It won’t bring me down I will continue feeling beautiful despite my height and body”
– Madhu Minz

“My birthmark is who I am. It’s like a stamp that god specifically made for me. Love your birthmarks, embrace it and celebrate it because It makes you unique”
-Mokish Khan

Today, we have a zillion ways to empower and embrace one another and we all, today, are thankful for the few gems that we have around us who motivate us and make this world a better place. Together, we need to help shut body shaming and encourage and practice body positivity for real as every individual is unique and beautiful in their own way.

Dear Body, We love you.

 Thank You !