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The other day I was chatting to friends of mine, telling them about how I am so short and if only... blah blah blah.
Both friends (who are both taller than me) thought I was crazy and said that they don’t think I’m that short! How common is this!
In reality, we see ourselves very differently than others do. In fact, we are often our own harshest critics.
How many times do you look at yourself in a group photograph and start to criticise how you look in the picture, but your friend thinks you look great?
You can become a little obsessed with your ‘flaws’ and only notice THOSE things when you look in the mirror, yet you would have to REALLY point them out to someone else for them to see what you see.
Even then, that person may disagree with what you see.
I hear so many women say, ‘If I wear that then everyone will look at me and notice my hips, bum, tum, boobs etc’. When everyone else is just looking at you as a whole and will seldom notice any of those things.
Are we all a little self-obsessed or are we so convinced that only we see ourselves as we truly are? What makes us entertain such self-degrading thoughts about our own appearance when we hardly ever think the same about someone else?
Developing a good body image has everything to do with what we THINK about ourselves and very little with how we actually look.
If you don’t believe me, then maybe it’s time to ask a trusted friend to tell you what he or she sees. Notice the difference in perception and perspective – same body, different perspective.
In the work that I do, I have seen women cry for joy and relief when I share how I see them, because I’m just looking for balance and beauty.
You see, I’m not emotionally attached to their bodies so I can see them differently then they see themselves. My aim is to help women see that there is another way of looking at themselves.
What is the answer? How can a woman move from only seeing her flaws to becoming friends with the woman in the mirror? I don’t think there are quick and easy answers, but I do think it is time for women to take on this challenge.
We need to become more aware of our own self-talk and stop the continual criticisms in their tracks.
Instead of only focusing on the things you don’t like, start to look for the things you do. If you really struggle with this one, share this experience with a trusted friend. You may be really surprised with what she sees.
Make the decision to be kinder to yourself and truly start to treat yourself as respectfully as you do others.
Follow Tracy Gold on Twitter.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Both friends (who are both taller than me) thought I was crazy and said that they don’t think I’m that short! How common is this!
In reality, we see ourselves very differently than others do. In fact, we are often our own harshest critics.
How many times do you look at yourself in a group photograph and start to criticise how you look in the picture, but your friend thinks you look great?
You can become a little obsessed with your ‘flaws’ and only notice THOSE things when you look in the mirror, yet you would have to REALLY point them out to someone else for them to see what you see.
Even then, that person may disagree with what you see.
I hear so many women say, ‘If I wear that then everyone will look at me and notice my hips, bum, tum, boobs etc’. When everyone else is just looking at you as a whole and will seldom notice any of those things.
Are we all a little self-obsessed or are we so convinced that only we see ourselves as we truly are? What makes us entertain such self-degrading thoughts about our own appearance when we hardly ever think the same about someone else?
Developing a good body image has everything to do with what we THINK about ourselves and very little with how we actually look.
If you don’t believe me, then maybe it’s time to ask a trusted friend to tell you what he or she sees. Notice the difference in perception and perspective – same body, different perspective.
In the work that I do, I have seen women cry for joy and relief when I share how I see them, because I’m just looking for balance and beauty.
You see, I’m not emotionally attached to their bodies so I can see them differently then they see themselves. My aim is to help women see that there is another way of looking at themselves.
What is the answer? How can a woman move from only seeing her flaws to becoming friends with the woman in the mirror? I don’t think there are quick and easy answers, but I do think it is time for women to take on this challenge.
We need to become more aware of our own self-talk and stop the continual criticisms in their tracks.
Instead of only focusing on the things you don’t like, start to look for the things you do. If you really struggle with this one, share this experience with a trusted friend. You may be really surprised with what she sees.
Make the decision to be kinder to yourself and truly start to treat yourself as respectfully as you do others.
Follow Tracy Gold on Twitter.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
