Self-Acceptance Journey

Photo Credit: forreadingaddicts.co.uk

PERFECTION

Love is not perfect. Ever. We are not perfect as a people either. But we see ourselves much differently than others see us. Sometimes the very act of seeking perfection can be the downfall of self-acceptance too.

In fact, many psychology and medical science sites, as well as studies, reveal that how we view ourselves is NOT how others view us.  Whether we know it or not we all disguise ourselves in many ways; sometimes in highly complex ways.

Even when people approach us and tell us we look great today, we may thank them and smile, but still, dismiss the compliment because we are carrying guilt inside for having overeaten at the party or maybe we have missed a month at the gym for example. We internalize, we make the unconscious decision that we must not look that good.

HEALTHY STATE OF MIND

It is true that our self-image can even make a huge difference in the way we feel and act. Those on a journey of self-acceptance do realize that a healthy relationship with ourselves can only foster our relationships with others and then finally life-long happiness with ourselves in the end. 

Sadly, many studies with preteen girls and teenage women showed that if the individual deemed themselves already unpopular socially, they tended to be more likely to gain weight about 69% of the time! That's a terrible statistic. More and more companies like Unilever began to recognize the need to become more socially responsible. It was great in (2004), 2006  when the Dove and Unilever company launched their 75 second YouTube video showing how with the use of makeup and photoshop how a woman was converted into a supermodel before our eyes. It began an all-out global conversation about truth in advertising, distortion and women's self-esteem. The Dove campaign continued to go further, until the most recent installment of the Dove Campaign For Real Beauty, where their ads showed "real" unretouched women of all shapes and sizes. Not only did the campaigns show us that real women existed, these campaigns began to whittle away at the old adage that only supermodels were pretty. We saw ourselves there. We started to see and accept beauty.

BEAUTY FROM WITHIN

Being okay with ourselves is a tough thing for many. We know that beauty is projected. We know that if we can think positively about ourselves, even finding just one thing, and try to manifest this one positive thing, we can and will slowly unravel the negative and begin to accept ourselves in ways we never knew.  So when someone gives you a compliment, just take it. Smile and know that when you do that your smile will radiate beauty.

Dove Evolution Campaign

https://youtu.be/iYhCn0jf46U  (highlight & click to open)

*This article is in not to diagnose any problems medically or psychologically always seek a doctors opinion. This article is in response to my personal self-acceptance journey and for lifestyle enrichment.