Why You Need To Overcome Body-Shaming
You are the best version of yourself. None can take it away from you.
{Caution: This post, written from a personal perspective, comes from observing and hearing this term. There is no intention to hurt sentiments.}
We live amidst several stigmas,’ and one of them is- Body-shaming. It is one of the most heard terms today. At some point, we may have also experienced the same in our lives or seen pointing at others around us. From celebrities to common people, we have all been subject to body-shaming.
Before proceeding further, let me give you the dictionary meaning of ‘Body-shaming.’ Although it is quite self-explanatory, I would still like to elaborate.
Body shaming is criticizing oneself or others about their physical appearance.
Body shaming can be in any form. It could be fat, thin, tall, short, or even for color, body shape or looks, and many more reasons under the sun. It all begins and ends with the way one looks.
While we may not accept it, many of us unconsciously shame ourselves or others without even thinking about it. It can be as a passing remark ‘you have put on weight’ or ‘you look so lean’ or anything else. (most common is talking about a person behind their back)
We talk about it; we feel it, project it onto others, and are party to it many a time. It is not about a few inches here and there; it is the impact it leaves on us as humans.
It happens almost instinctively, but there are a ton of people who do it intentionally. The reasons can vary, but the underlying emotion is- you are not happy with your body, or you have an inert ability to not keep your opinion about others to yourself.
I know, I know, it’s very hard, and probably by now you are just wondering ‘so what?’
Even today, the stigma attached to physical appearances is far more appalling than before.
As per Mentalhealth.co.uk, nearly 20% ~ people feel shame around their body image, and almost 34% feel downcast because of their body image.
We may have become educated, liberated, and independent, but our minds at some point get stuck to one thing-
Am I looking fine?
Doesn’t He/She look hot?
Why is He/She not looking good?
Isn’t She/He dark or white?
See? Everything boils down to how you or the other person looks.
Mind you, it applies not only to people who are overweight. Thin people, too, go through this several times. You get to hear comments- ‘You look so lean? Haven’t you been eating well?’ or ‘You look so lanky and boney. Why don’t you put on some weight?’
The list and comments are endless.
It is important to understand that many overweight or too thin people may have some health-related issues! They do not choose to be who they are. Sometimes it is not in their hands. Period.
But for those, who can control it, it is a different story altogether.
Why did I use the term overcome in my title? Well, because the word has become overused now, sometimes loosely, and there are a ton of people who have a hard time letting the entire ‘body factor’ go.
Around nine years ago, I wrote an article about accepting who you are, just the way you are. It resonated with many of my friends because somewhere, there was a lack of self-acceptance even then. I was bordering on obesity and had been subject to different terms that defined my overall personality.
While it affected me for quite a while, it took me to double the strength to let go of it. There was a time I discussed with my friend ‘Buddy; we are just like this. Nothing can happen to us. We will always remain the same.’
But today, that same friend and I have a different story to tell.
Why should you not let body shaming be the factor for losing weight or gaining weight?
Your health begins with you, and no one can understand your body the way you do. You could find a thousand reasons not to lose weight or even procrastinate at some point (I know I did). But it would be best if you shed a little perspective on your life; no one else can do it or may do it for you.
Health
This condition should be the foremost aspect. There was a time I had convinced myself that I could not lose weight. I am who I am. It changed after I met a qualified nutritionist, and she guided me to transform myself. She never told me I need to lose weight, but my health reports showed me what my body was going through.
I now wanted to lose weight, not because someone else was telling me to, but because I knew it was necessary. After much deliberation, I finally took the first step to work on my weight, which could be a cause of concern a few years down the line.
My health came first, which motivated me to get back into shape, not for today but tomorrow.
Emotional wellbeing
You have the power to shun negativity in your life, especially if it involves your emotional wellbeing.
Note that I am not using the word mental health because I think the word mental itself creates many questions in one’s mind. Forget society; it makes us question ourselves. Hence the use of the term ‘emotional wellbeing’ because it all starts with our mind.
Body shaming can lead to a lasting disastrous impact on our minds, even if done unconsciously. We end our misery because only we think it is essential and not what people around us think.
Counseling
There are times a friend can help you overcome your insecurities. But there are others when you need professional help. Consulting with a counselor can help you get a structure to your thought and coach you to let go of our insecurities.
You cannot shut the entire world up, but you can get your mind to block it slowly and steadily. A professional psychologist or counselor provides you with techniques to approach your problem and learn to get over it.
Please remember, your fate lies in your hand, and you are the only one who can change it.
Societal pressure
Whether it is putting on weight or losing it, please do not fall prey to societal pressure to do it. It may do more harm than good. Society has several opinions to give and advice to deliver, but it will only leave you feeling more helpless if you listen to all of it.
It can make or break a person. Choose wisely want you to want to accept from society and what you don’t.
In the end, all I can say, don’t let anyone, even yourself, body shame you. You have the power to fight off everything that comes your way. If you think you need to work on your health, do it. Don’t wait for anyone else to tell you to do that. Do not objectify everything around you, including yourself.
Love yourself and pass on that love to everyone around you.
