Years ago, due to a lack of self-esteem and issues with my body image related to my weight, I developed a bad habit. This habit is not uncommon to many people, yet it’s one that negatively impacts many. I began to compare myself to others, whom I viewed as having the “ideal” body figure. It took me time and effort to understand that the “ideal” body figure is an abstract-subjective reality and I am ideal for myself.
YES, you read that right, I am ideal for myself. During my transformation process of body and mind, I learned to love myself and recognized that I am ideal for myself. I know this makes me sound selfish, when in fact what I learned and developed was self-acceptance. I began to care about my own well-being, and my happiness, and placed value on myself.
Social media was not a friend to me. It affected my self-esteem negatively as I compared myself to the women I saw in posts. All these women were leaner than me, more muscular, had smoother skin, and essentially had everything that I lacked at the time. Whether it was consciously or unconsciously, I resented them and was being extra hard on myself for not having those qualities. What I refused to believe was that filters and editing tools can be used for these “ideal” women. What I recognize now is that having those emotions is normal, yet it’s not healthy for us. As human beings, we are all different and special and that’s what makes us perfect and unique.
So, stop that habit of comparison right now. It will only break your motivation and impact you negatively. Believe me, this is a theoretical illusion, and no one is perfect. We all have our own imperfections, and our imperfections are what make us unique and perfect in our own way. Strive to become a better version of yourself. Strive to be better than you were yesterday, motivate yourself, and celebrate your own victories, no matter how small or big they are. And……
“Do not forget to remind yourself that you are the best, the strongest, the most beautiful, and that you are perfect the way you are because the path you have taken to achieve your results is yours.”
