We’ve all been there, a half-glance that catches your own image in the corner of your eye as you look into a mirror and the negative self-talk begins. Your legs are too thick, your tummy isn’t flat enough and your arms are fat. Kids may be the worst when it comes to teasing and saying things, but women are the worst when it comes to judging themselves and being self-critical.
Unfortunately, when it comes to judging ourselves – we’re harsh and we always compare ourselves (often unfavorably) to other women and find ourselves lacking. Imagine looking at yourself in comparison to a woman who is a size 3 because she has slighter bone structure and her genetics pre-dispose her to lean body mass. Your self-image will likely involve disgust with yourself for being unable to look like her, even when you work out regularly.
The Devil and the Angel on Your Shoulders
Do you remember those old cartoons where the character is tormented by the little devil on one shoulder and the little angel on the other? When women look in the mirror, it’s a lot like they never hear the angel whispering encouragement or kindness, but only the petty musings of the little devil that would likely find them wanting no matter what the shape of their body is. This is partially why women who you or I would find to be in great shape, or even envy for their body type will look at themselves in a negative light and hear their own negative self talk when they look in the mirror.
Since we’re constantly judging ourselves and finding ourselves lacking, let’s take a moment to shut the little devil up and focus our attention on the little angel. She’s right there, muted perhaps, or speaking too softly for you to hear – so you need to concentrate so you can hear what she has to say rather than being so evil to yourself.
How?
How do you do this? Start by recognizing that curvaceous women are voluptuous and beautiful as their slender, lean built sisters. Instead of grumbling about how big your chest is, admire how beautiful and voluptuous it is. Instead of looking at your hips and seeing how broad they are, admire their strength and fertile positioning.
It starts by looking at the beauty in the positive light with the negative light shut off. Your body is vessel, it houses who you are, but it doesn’t define you. So the next time you look in the locker room mirror and you compare yourself to the other women around you and start ragging on yourself – tell the little devil to shut up and listen very hard for the angel on you other shoulder, she’s probably reminding you that you are beautiful – you just have to listen to her.
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