The pressure to look a certain way is everywhere.

In Hollywood, on Instagram, and even our social circles, we’re constantly surrounded by airbrushed images of the perfect body. But what if your “perfect body” doesn’t fit these narrow standards?

Feeling judged and left out is easy when you don’t measure up according to these ideals. So how can you learn to love yourself and embrace your beautiful, powerful body? Well, there are many ways! So here are some tips for loving all of who you are!

Learn to love the skin you are in

The first step to loving your body is learning to accept it for what it is. You are not a slave to the scale or your pant size, so don’t let them dictate your feelings about yourself.

You may think that this sounds like an easy task, but most of us have grown up in a society where we constantly compare ourselves to others and often find ourselves lacking. You can learn not just how to love your body but also appreciate it at any size:

• Stop comparing yourself with other people (or even their photos). Everyone has a unique shape and size, so don’t get caught up thinking someone else looks better than you. There’s nothing wrong with admiration. Your mindset will determine whether that turns into jealousy, self-deprivation, or loving yourself even more.
• Don’t let anyone tell you how they think your body should look; remember that everyone’s journey toward self-acceptance is different!
• Accepting where we currently stand today instead of worrying about where we were yesterday or will be tomorrow makes all the difference.

Practice self-care.

Self-care is not selfish. 

Self.care.is.not.selfish.

When I was younger, I thought self-care was something only people with money could do. But now that I’m older and wiser, I see how silly this idea was. You don’t need fancy things like massages or spa days; even simple acts like baths or getting enough sleep count as self-care! Instead, try starting small by giving yourself 5 minutes every day where all your responsibilities are put aside so your focus can be directed towards making YOU happy!

Be kind to yourself.

Self-compassion is essential because it helps you cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. It also improves your mental health by making you more likely to care for yourself in healthy ways (like exercising or eating well). So give yourself a break!

If you’re feeling badly about your body image, try not to focus on what’s wrong with it. Instead, think about all the good things about yourself that make up who you are.

How do I practice self-care? Here are some examples:

• Taking time for myself each day so that I can relax and recharge my batteries (e.g., reading a book)
• Doing something fun every week (e.g., going out with friends)

Stop comparing yourself to others.

Getting caught up in the idea that your worth is determined by how other people see you is easy. Don’t let other people’s opinions of you define your self-worth: instead, focus on finding ways that make YOU feel good about yourself and what makes YOU happy!

Don’t let other people tell you who you need to be or how you should look.

Don’t let other people tell you what to be or how to feel. Don’t let them tell you that your body is wrong or not good enough. You are beautiful, and no one can take that away from you.

You have the right to live your life as fully as possible. And if someone tries to stand in the way because they think their opinion matters more than yours? Guess what: THEY DON’T MATTER AT ALL!

Accept your body as it is now, not what it was a year ago or ten years ago or how you will look later on.

Accepting your body is a process, and it takes time. You can’t just wake up one day and decide to love yourself, but it will happen if you work at it every day. 

When I look in the mirror, I try not to focus on how big my thighs are or how much cellulite there is on my butt. Instead, I look for things about myself that are pretty or cute, like my beauty marks or smile lines around my eyes!

Find a supportive community and make friends with people who value you for who you are, not for how you look.

In addition to seeking out a supportive community, it’s essential to make friends with people who value you for who you are, not for your appearance.

Find a group of friends who support your goals and help each other along the way. This could be an online community or just one real friend. Make sure they know that it will not be tolerated if they say anything negative about themselves or your appearance!

I hope these tips help you to love your body and feel beautiful at any size. Remember, there is no wrong way to be!