The Not So Beautiful Beauty Standards: A New Hope?

Have you ever found yourself gazing at your reflection in the mirror, wishing for a different, more conventionally beautiful body shape? Or perhaps you’ve scrolled through social media, bombarded by images of the ‘ideal’ physique, wondering why it seems so unattainable? How can you navigate these beauty standards and embrace your unique beauty?

In a world obsessed with appearances, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing a certain body size or shape.

I often question the hype around the ‘perfect’ or ‘ideal’ body shape. Why is having a slender physique so heavily emphasized? Shouldn’t we be prioritizing health and happiness over our body size?

And more importantly, shouldn’t happiness be the new size?

But what if I told you that being beautiful doesn’t mean starving yourself? That true beauty comes from within; it reflects your aura and personality.

Prioritising health and happiness over your size

Feeling good in our bodies is something many of us struggle with. The entire topic of being fat-phobic is manipulating, making true happiness feel impossible.

But you know what? We only live once, and embracing your body is incredibly special for you and your mental health. So why not take a step towards change today?

If you’re nourishing your body with a balanced diet and feeling comfortable in your skin, then that’s what truly matters. You shouldn’t be altering your appearance unless it’s genuinely your desire.

Making sure your happiness and well-being come first means ensuring any changes you make align with what’s truly best for you, not just what society deems ‘ideal’.

Societal standards pressure us to pursue an ‘ideal’ body, but it’s crucial to remember that sacrificing your happiness for these standards isn’t worth it.

Societal Norms

Putting your happiness and health first often means standing up against societal norms.

These norms frequently depict the ‘ideal’ body as slim, with a narrow waist and minimal body fat. Additionally, there’s pressure to achieve the coveted hourglass figure, characterized by a larger bust and bum paired with a small waist.

But it doesn’t stop there.

The society also sets standards for clear skin, long hair, defined abs, and perpetual youthfulness. If these standards aren’t met, they are seen as imperfections.

These so-called ‘imperfections‘ can leave both women and men feeling uneasy about their appearance, leading them to conceal their beautiful, natural faces under layers of makeup and refrain from showing their true selves.

Influence of Beauty Norms

Social media and media representation are primary influencers shaping our perceptions of the ‘ideal’ body.

While social media does have many positives, it also presents dangers by bombarding us with images of the “ideal” body. Edited images flood the internet, fostering a culture of comparison.

I want you to consider this: Have you ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, only to stop at an image or video not to appreciate the content, but because you perceived the person as prettier, having a slimmer body, or being more successful?

Similarly, have you ever glanced at a magazine cover featuring a stunning model and wished you had their physique, clear skin, or shiny hair?

For years, I’ve battled with comparison. Walking through Tesco (an English supermarket), I’d glimpse at magazine covers featuring these beautiful models. I couldn’t help but wish I could look just as lovely, longing to possess their features for myself.

But that isn’t the reality.

You can’t just pick and choose features from other people. You were born with your unique features, so embrace them.

Remember, that comparison works both ways. While you’re comparing yourself to others, they’re probably doing the same to you. We’re often unhappy with what we have and want what others possess.

What is the Reality?

Now, I want you to take a moment to think about this: Do you honestly believe these images are the reality?

Have you ever considered the extensive team of professional stylists working behind the scenes, or the hours of preparation the model or celebrity has to undergo to achieve that image?

Furthermore, even after the image has been taken, it will undergo multiple edits. The thinning/toning of the waist, the removal of the ‘imperfections’, and the addition of filters.

These images are carefully edited to fit an ideal, often looking very different from real life.

Examples of Edits: Highlighting Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Kim Kardashian

Leighton Meester

Britney Spears

Justin Bieber

Do you see what I mean about images not showing reality?

A few years ago, I would have looked at these images, comparing myself to the features and appearances of these celebrities. However now that I know that images are being edited, and they don’t show the reality. I look at these images, and I am shocked.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the original images!

If you’re interested in exploring further examples of image editing comparisons, click here.

A Beautiful New Hope

The world is developing. Standards are changing, and these changes are being made by individuals who are tired of these beauty standards.

As I mentioned at the beginning, being beautiful is what comes from within. It reflects your aura and your personality. This understanding was crucial for me, especially during my weight gain journey.

Instead of viewing weight gain negatively, I chose to focus on what I was truly gaining back. Every gram or kilo added was a part of my personality that I was reclaiming.

Every ounce gained was a step towards embracing my authentic self

By the Author

As more people challenge these ‘ideal’ body standards, awareness spreads. And with increased awareness comes greater freedom for women and men to feel comfortable in their skin.

After all, your body is your home; you only get one. And no one else possesses the same beautiful features as you.

3 True Inspirations who are challenging beauty standards

Over the years, I’ve crossed paths with three inspiring individuals who have truly helped me embrace my beauty.

Rianne Atiya

Rianne Atiya is a Dutch influencer who has grown a huge supporting community on Instagram. Through her platform, she shares her lifestyle and spreads positivity by creating humorous content and promoting body positivity.

Do you want to know why I love her so much…?

Well, she is a professional butt squeezer. To clarify, I wasn’t the one to come up with this statement, she has written it in her bio. She is open and funny. She shows the world what it is like to embrace their body. (and to have fun squeezing their butt)

Sarah Nicole Landry

Sarah Nicole Landry champions body positivity as a mother of four. Her journey toward embracing a positive body image is ongoing, and she invites followers to join her as she shares her post-baby body journey.

She openly showcases her stretch marks and advocates for women and mothers to silence negative self-talk, empowering them to love themselves unconditionally.

Ella Daisy

Ella Daisy radiates inwardly and outward beauty, making her my favourite among the three I’ve mentioned.

Despite being the youngest, she’s faced her share of struggles, particularly battling an eating disorder for many years. However, she fought fiercely to reclaim her life.

Through her Instagram content, Ella spreads a powerful message: it’s okay to have rolls, to eat without guilt, and to simply live without the constraints of societal norms.

She embodies the beauty of embracing one’s body, demonstrating that true beauty lies in self-acceptance. Indeed, she reminds us all that we are inherently beautiful.

Small Ending Message

In a world that often dictates unrealistic beauty standards, remember that true beauty lies in embracing your authentic self.

So, whether you have curves, no curves, boobs, no boobs, stretch marks, or anything in between, embrace every aspect of yourself with pride and confidence. Your uniqueness is your strength, and it’s what makes you truly beautiful.

If you want to learn more about self-love and acceptance click here.

Accepting your body can be challenging, which is why I’ve crafted a blog post titled ‘How To Enjoy Summer This Year: an Empowering Journey.’ In this post, I delve into the journey of embracing your body and empowering yourself to show it off rather than hiding it away.

Thank you for reading x