The body positivity movement, which seeks to challenge one-size-fits-all beauty ideals, has been gaining momentum as far back as the 19th century, when the “dress reform ”sought to free women, literally, from their corsets. And while unrealistic beauty standards have been around just as long (or even longer), the rise of television, advertising campaigns, and social media mean people can now get the message in a thousand different ways that they are somehow not enough. It’s no surprise that this can eventually be harmful to your physical, mental, and emotional health.
The good news is that social media has also helped to shift the lens from body obsession to body positivity with hashtags like #bodypositivity and #bopo to increase feelings of body appreciation and acceptance.“ It’s so important for role models to send out body-positive messages to counterbalance all of the other messages that we receive informing us of the opposite, whether that be on social media, in conversations with our family and friends, and more,” says Melanie Shmois, a cognitive behavioral therapist at Mind Your Strength Coaching in Avon Lake, Ohio. “Role models sharing how they love their bodies is empowering, ”she adds, and the truth more of it is needed. People have diligently been taught to hate themselves. This pattern needs to change. We all need to unlearn this toxic behavior and learn to accept, love and love ourselves.
“Speak to your body in a loving way. It’s the only one you’ve got, it’s your home, and it deserves your
respect.”
—Iskra Lawrence