FALL IN LOVE WITH YOURSELF

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Body confidence is a tricky thing as it is different for everyone because everyone has his or her own insecurities. Learning to accept yourself and all your “flaws” is tough and can be a long journey, as it doesn’t just happen overnight. Gosh, I wish it did though. It’s a gradual change from no longer comparing yourself to everyone you walk past on the street, to realising that the things you don’t particularly like about yourself are actually cute as heck! Self-acceptance and learning to love your self is a difficult task to accomplish but once you cross the finish line, boy does it feel great. 

There is no wrong or right way to have a body. The things you do to and with your body is your decision only. Everyone’s body is different and we all have things that we love and don’t like about ourselves. As Beyoncé said, "Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are." You do you. Funnily enough, the only person that will always be there for you, through the ups and downs, is yourself. You never desert yourself, even when you’re being harsh, and for that you deserve some love back! 

In my opinion, the first step in achieving happiness is accepting your flaws. Everyone has things that they don’t like about themselves, but whilst you are so busy hating on your poor nose or poking at your stomach there are people out there who think that they are the best parts of you. Go stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself-- really look at yourself. Now repeat after me, “I love you.” Don’t you see that your curvy figure is wonderful, your so-called pointy ears are cute, your eyes that you think look bug-like are inviting and gorgeous! It’s hard to come around and change your perspective but even if you fake liking them you will eventually realise that they contribute to you and there is only one of you in the entire world. You need to accept them first on the road to loving yourself. 

Here are some tips/little things, which I personally think are affective when it comes to self-acceptance and confidence:  

1. An easy way to feel confident with yourself is to wear things that you love and that you feel confident in because if you know that you look rocking in your favourite shirt and jeans then no one can influence you otherwise.

2. Make time to pamper and take care of yourself, put on a facemask and take a bubble bath, moisturise. Remember that self care and your mental state always comes before pleasing others and other elements like school.

3. Stop comparing yourself! Comparing yourself to others is never good for anyone and will only make you feel down so instead of looking at others look at yourself and realise that you are gorgeous, intelligent, talented, courageous and wonderful too! Focus on the things that make you who you are, the bits and pieces that make you special. In the end, there’s only one of you.

4. Be gentle with yourself, you’re doing the best you can. There will always be days where you feel down in the dumps and don’t feel like loving yourself and that’s normal! It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to need to have a cry, to scream and shout out your problems into the air. But at the end of the day try not to be too harsh on yourself because you’re giving it your best shot.

5. The things you’re worried about are normal, part of being human. You might be tall or short, hairy or shaven, built or lanky, have small boobs or big boobs, thigh gap or none; it’s all completely normal! All of these things and more are part of being human, we’re all different and that’s what is so great about everyone. 

Life’s too short to pick out your flaws all the time, so embrace them and do what makes you happy. Do your hair how you want, wear whatever clothes you want, pierce yourself however many times you want to and tell the world that you love yourself because you are so wonderful and you should know that. You deserve to feel good just like everyone else does.

Don’t forget that you are more than just your appearance. You are not a number on a scale or the face in a photo; you are your favourite movies, the way you walk, your best dress, the way you smile, your favourite season, you are your soul. Remember “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” – you are amazing and you deserve to love yourself.

I know this may not help some people and you may be thinking “what the hell does she know” but I’m not trying to make anybody confident with a snap of my fingers, because that’s not how it works. I just want people to realise how amazing they are and recognise the beauty and soul within them and stop letting their flaws define them as a person.

Written by: Ailish Delaney