The Category Is Body

 Debunking Beauty Standards

It is evident that beauty standards affect how we define beauty. To illustrate, Chinese traditions command svelte women with long legs, small waists and a delicate frame, they associate this with beauty and grace (The Journal of Asian Studies, 2010). In contrast to China is Africa: Africa has always appreciated fuller body types, mainly Black African communities where larger body sizes are associated with wealth, fertility and health.

 Do you see the point I am trying to make here? You are inevitably subject to scrutiny, as well as to favorable responses, depending on where your body type reign or does not. Hence, it is of utmost importance that you find beauty within yourself. You are beautiful! 

I will provide practical tips on how to practices self-compassion but, a poem!

I Am Woman

by Ntozake Shange (1975)

I am a woman

Defined by the ways of my mother

child of my people,

My cline name, is my madden calling 

For I am more than the eye beholds

The poem says, 'I am more than the eye beholds', iterating the picture I am trying to paint. which is the complexity and depth of one's identity, in this case a woman. It suggests that a woman cannot be fully understood based on mere appearances. There is more to an individual than                                                                            what meets the eye.

Practical Tips to Hone Self-compassion

1. Practice self-compassion

When bombarded by negativity about your body, substitute it with kind, uplifting self-talk. Treat yourself as you would a friend! A study by Neff (2011) found that embracing your insecurities, helps you cope.

2. Focus on What Your Body Can Do

In those times when you feel defeated, practice gratitude: whether it is walking, dancing, bathing or simply hugging a loved one. This reduces the pressure to look a certain way, (Body Image, 2014).

3. Surround Yourself with Positivity

Social media can be a toxic place as it tends to promote certain body types depending on trends. Therefore, it is ideal to curate your feeds to display self-love, diversity, body positivity etc. We do not want you to turn into a case of body dysmorphia or become addicted to plastic surgery.