My Body My Story
Have you ever thought about that concept? My Body My Story? Most of the time we tend to compare our bodies to others or find issues in all parts of ourselves. We never think about what our bodies have gone through and most the time we probably use the term “my body” in a negative way. If you are in the UK you may have come across this campaign led by the Loose women. These women decided to do a photo shoot as they are with no air brushing and no re touches, which were shot by Bryan Adams.
This campaign really impacted me and made me re-evaluate my body and my story. I had to sit there for a while and ask myself what part of my body do I like the most. I was sat there in silence for a while. I had no problem listing all the things I didn’t like but struggled to find just one part of me I liked. How was that possible? It’s not that I didn’t have confidence in myself, because I do, but then is it possible to be confident and not be able to have total love for your body?
I decided to stand in front of my mirror and really look at myself. I’d seen myself a hundred times in the mirror, and I had looked at myself, but always with criticism. So, top to bottom I examined myself. What was so bad about my body anyway? I realised nothing! OK so I could have a more toned body, maybe bigger lips, perhaps better legs, no stretch marks, even a more perky bottom, sod it and boobs too if I’m wishing! So many things I could change or want to improve on my body, but then if I could do all of that would I still be myself? Would I really be any happier? Any more confident? I’m not sure I would.
I started thinking how could I be so harsh towards my body when it does so much for me?? And if I was going to treat my body with no respect why would anyone else? So what if I have stretch marks, so what if I have scars, so what if my body isn’t “perfect”, is anyone’s really? I mean OK we see celebrities looking amazing, but all of that isn’t real, hardly anyone takes real pictures now. It’s all filtered from Instagram or snapchat, I should know, I do the same! I then decided to look at women who have suffered tragic situations with their bodies and have confidence and love for their bodies; and I couldn’t help but feel guilty about not appreciating what I have.
I looked at Katie Piper, Reshma Bano Qureshi, Zuly Sanguino and Lizzie Velasquez to name but a few. So many women who had gone through things like acid attacks, having no limbs or just being born slightly different, yet they are still pushing on and telling their body stories with pride. How could these women not inspire me to realise that I was blessed I had a body that is not only functional but a true blessing to have and beautiful in every way?!
I re-looked at my body. I had a new approach. I looked at each part and complimented it and made the connection with my mind on how wonderful and beautiful my body truly is. It didn’t stick straight away, so for a few days I woke up looking at my body smiling. OK so I have scars and marks, or I have lumps and bumps. What did that matter? My scars were from childhood mishaps, my stretchmarks are just there, even though I have not had children I still had them. The love handles or the muffin top, I realise it was part age and part enjoyment of life. We can all try and do something about changing our body if we really want to, but unless you have real love and respect for your body you will never really be truly happy with it.
We are well versed in judging a body or photo when we see it. Someone’s hair, someone’s eye’s, boobs, bottom, arms, the list is endless. Sometimes we envy them and other times we perhaps judge, but who are we to judge anyone’s body? If the body works, keeps them alive and they have had a journey with it which you have no knowledge about then why judge?
I have seen so many women be inspired by the #MyBodyMyStory campaign that it just proved there are more women like us out there then the ideal air brushed woman. We already knew this, but we hardly see photos of them, so to see all of them in their glory giving strength to others was so inspiring. People with war wounds from awful diseases, operational scars, motherhood scars, amputations to save their lives, weight loss, weight illnesses, the list is endless and amazing to see. Even though the photos have been so inspiring the most overwhelming thing I found was how everyone came together to share their body and their story, being both courageous and inspiring. We all have our own bodies and sometimes we forget how blessed we are. It’s human nature to want more or better, but the key starts with loving what we have now. I challenged myself and am proud to say I love my body. If you haven’t already seen the campaign then take a look and hopefully you will be inspired to share your body and your story.
If you haven’t heard the story of the women I mentioned above and would like to know more then please see some details / articles on them below, I promise you they will all inspire you.