Body Confidence & Self-Love: An Upcoming Trend

The summer month of July is a perfect time to discuss what’s on almost everyone’s mind…body confidence. Negative thoughts are inevitable when shopping for bathing suits and it’s impossible to ignore everyone’s new and crazy fad diet. However, these inspiring stories come from two brave women who aren’t afraid to show the world what they’re made of. And they do a beautiful job of demonstrating what self-love can really be.

Early last month, ESPN released its annual body issue. On the front cover gleams one of our country’s track and field hammer throwers, Amanda Bingson. What makes Bingson’s feature different from others in the past is its focus on Amanda’s self-love and respect for her body rather than presenting herself as an unachievable standard.

The star of the cover explains how she had to overcome harsh judgement and shame from others because of her weight and build, stemming all the way back to her high school days. But this didn’t stop her. Bingson never let the negative comments get to her head. As cruelty continued, her confidence and love for her body grew larger. And still to this day she finds acceptance in herself and is not afraid to expose it on the front cover of magazines.

This inspiring story ties into yet another self-loving and regular small town girl. In July, a woman named Rachel Taylor was shopping in Old Navy and witnessed a mother and daughter making a joke about the large size of a tank top made for plus-sizes. Unfortunately, Taylor realized that the tank top was the size she usually fits into.

Like anyone would, Taylor managed her emotions by leaving the store. Moments after, she recollected herself, walked back into the store and grabbed the tank top. She walked into the dressing room and took a selfie of herself sporting the item. Looking at the picture she had taken, she realized she looked great in the shirt and decided it was a worthy purchase. Later on that day, Taylor posted her selfie on Old Navy’s Facebook page and unknowingly sparked a conversation of both praise and criticism.

Taylor responded to the Facebook world by letting everyone know that her post was nothing more than a thank you to Old Navy for providing plus sizes and making her proud in the clothes she’s wearing. She continued with a public piece of advice, “Be kind. Think about others before you speak. And if someone hurts you, you have to move on.”

What these two stories share are women empowered by confidence in their own skin. They faced judgement from others without fear. Instead of internalizing these comments, they turned it into a positive experience and realized that their body and who they are as a person is beautiful.

Be confident in your own skin, this is a critical component of happiness. If you don’t love and respect yourself, how do you expect others to do the same?

Here are some body confidence building tips:

Stop comparing yourself to others; everyone’s body is built differently.
Surround yourself with positive, loving people. People who are openly negative about their life or body can be contagious and spread their unhappiness to you.
Focus on your positive characteristics, or as I like to call it “self-esteem boosters”.
Most importantly, engage in self-care. You are worth it.

Your turn to take action: Do you have any confidence building tips that help you appreciate and love your body? If so, leave a comment below!