10 Affirmations For When Body Image Struggles Arise
Nearly every woman knows that, some days, you’re tempted to feel a little ‘meh’ about your appearance.
Maybe you’ve always struggled to accept the curvier parts of yourself or maybe you wish that your fairy godmother would descend from the clouds and give you some curves. Whether it’s the shape of your nose, the color of your hair, or your waist to hip ratio, there’s likely something that you just wish was different.
But what if, instead of desiring to be what you are not, you learn to love and appreciate everything about what you are? What if the next time you look in the mirror and feel that temptation to critique, you smile and rejoice instead? Here are 10 affirmations that you can use to help you do just that:
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. No part of me is a mistake. You weren’t created haphazardly or by accident. Every detail of you is just as it should be and for amazing reasons that you probably cannot even fathom. You are wonderful because you are you.
My appearance does not dictate my worth. You’re not good because of how you look. You’re not worthy of love because of how you look. You’re not on this earth because of how you look. Your worth is rooted in something much deeper than what you see when you look in the mirror.
I can still choose to care for my body as I learn to accept – and ultimately love – the parts of myself that I want to change. Choosing that which is truly good for body, mind, and soul will help fend off the negative thoughts. Properly nourish your body, exercise healthfully, and rest when you need it.
Just because I feel this way about myself doesn’t mean that it’s true. Lies can creep in all too easily, and, if you let them take root, you may start believing that they are true. You might feel unloved and unattractive, but that doesn’t mean that you are. Reject the lie and reclaim the truth: You are good and beautiful!
No two women look alike. I don’t need to compare myself to anyone else. Roses are beautiful, and so are peonies (and lilies and sunflowers and dahlias and tulips and every other flower you can think of). The beauty of the rose doesn’t take away from the beauty of the peony. In the same way, another woman’s beauty doesn’t take away from yours – even if you look totally different.
My body is a gift, and it’s capable of incredible things. The very fact that you’re breathing is a gift. Now, think of all of the other amazing things you’re able to do, whether it’s playing the violin, performing a series of pirouettes, or giving your little one a piggyback ride!
Today’s beauty standards are largely unrealistic. Focusing on my feminine health and dignity is more important than fitting the mold. Much of what is portrayed in the media and on the big screen is simply not attainable or sustainable. It’s never worth sacrificing your health and fertility, sanity, morals, relationships, or joy for what our increasingly superficial society has held up as “beautiful.”
I am grateful for XYZ about myself. Combat the critical thoughts with a compliment! What features do you absolutely love about yourself? Your eyes? Your freckles? Your legs? Express your gratitude for these things!
For moms: My body created life and will, therefore, be forever changed. I can’t expect it to be what it was before my little miracle. Sure, you can lose the baby weight and fit back into that black dress, but you may not be able to get rid of those stretch marks or C-section scars or revert back to your perkier pre-breastfeeding breasts. Your body has been a home (and will continue, in a sense, to be a home) to your sweet baby. What a gift!
True beauty radiates from within. What’s more beautiful than bronzed skin and glossy hair? Kindness, generosity, joy, gentleness, patience. A virtuous woman is beautiful – even after she comes in from the rain with messy hair and no makeup on. So, step away from the mirror and go become a woman whose beauty is evident even in darkness.
Closing Thoughts
It’s natural for body image struggles to arise, especially in a culture that’s constantly shouting at women to look and dress a certain way. Don’t beat yourself up when you feel that interior conflict beginning, but don’t throw in the towel either! Defeat the negativity with the truth of your inherent goodness and beauty and worth.
Love Evie? Let us know what you love and what else you want to see from us in the official Evie reader survey.