We all come in different shapes and sizes, it’s part of what makes us unique and special, yet many people worry about certain aspects of their shape, forgetting there is no ‘perfect’ norm. Even super-models differ from one another! This week we’re challenging you to face your own truth and bare – yep it’s a dare! And get more positive about that positive body image. #happyinyourownskin
What is it about seeing ourselves naked that scares us so? Perhaps because that old word ‘perfect’ is haunting our brains and distorting what we see in the mirror. All the ‘bad’ bits look worse and the ‘good’ bits aren’t good enough. But guess what? Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. What you see may have much more to do with your mindset and pre-conceived ideas than what’s actually in your line of vision. So ask yourself this: if it wasn’t me, there in the reflection, what would I really think?
We’re about to ask you to take our truth and bare challenge, should you be brave enough to accept it, however before we do here’s a few reasons why it’s a great idea:
- You may see positives there you never noticed before
- You may decide to be kinder to yourself and less critical
- You may get some good insights into dressing for your true shape and
- You may just realise you’ve come a long way. Nothing like ‘naked’ to see that truth!
- You may feel more confident…and dare we say it? A little on the sexy side!
- And you may just appreciate the entire being that is you, just a bit more.
Convinced yet? No? Aw come on, do it anyway. Here goes:
The Truth and Bare Challenge
- Get yer gear off: Yep, lock the door, shed the threads and make sure the lighting is kind.
- Have an out of body experience: Try to be objective and not see you as ‘you’. We are usually sooooo much harder on ourselves than others! The truth is, while you may be thinking ‘does my bum look big in this?’, someone else is looking over and thinking ‘wow- what great legs!’ Think back to compliments you may have received in the past and look at yourself in that best possible light, ignoring the negative chick in your head. We’re betting you’ve got stuff goin’ on baby. Probably more than you know.
- Accentuate those positives: How can you dress to accentuate your best features? Try altering your posture or stance and check out a few different angles. If it makes a difference naked, just think what that can do in flattering clothes!
- You’ve come a long way, body: Ask yourself this now: as a Master Faster, how has your body changed? Some of those things you didn’t like about your body before – is that really still the truth? Could you actually wear white jeans now that your thighs have slimmed down? A strappy top with those toned up arms? Maybe your body’s changed but your mindset needs to readjust it’s belt notch.
- Not only skin deep: Look beyond the surface now and appreciate your body for other reasons. This vehicle carries you around, digests your food, builds your muscle and fights disease. That brain helps you function, your mind helps you reason and be able to feel emotions like love and happiness. You are a walking, breathing miracle!
- Face, a beautiful fact: Now look at your face, at the beauty therein. And yes, there is beauty there: eyes that have probably seen wonderful places and people, a mouth that has smiled. Ears that have heard music and laughter, a nose that has smelled the first jasmine of spring. And, if you’re lucky enough, (yes we said ‘lucky enough’) to have wrinkles and lines, they are the map of your emotions. The story of a life well lived. Your face has your experiences and adventures written all over it and it’s uniquely, wonderfully yours.
Everybody has imperfections, everybody has wobbly bits, many people wear Spanx, and most people worry too much about what they see in the mirror. But we hope, after baring and daring, your confidence has gained a boost and you see more to yourself now than your imperfections. We hope you see your fab bits too – and not just a person who has lost weight, or is still trying to. You’re the sum of many parts, an entire being.
Be happy in that wondrous skin, because you really are an amazing truth, simply standing there alone in front of that mirror. Brave. And bare.