Comments on: 5 Body Image Myths, Busted!

By: Gio

Gio — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 23:00:20 +0000

In reply to Janessa. Janessa, terrible indeed. Unfortunately, I doubt there's someone who didn't believe them at some point in their lives. So glad you don't anymore. Such wise words. Thanks for sharing,

By: Gio

Gio — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 22:58:29 +0000

In reply to Lena.

Lena, thank you for your comment and sharing your story. I’m glad you find this post useful. That’s just what I wanted, make people think about these myths and challenge them once and for all.

I’m sorry you had to put up with that growing up. I went through something similar, so I know how nasty children can be. And their parents aren’t always much better. They just hide their rudeness under the guise of concern.

But you’re right, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, and eventually, all that pain just makes us questions our assumptions, beliefs, and behaviours so we take back the reins of our lives.

I agree on your last point too. We’re all so focused on imperfections, we never realise how normal, and not imperfect at all they really are. That’s something we should definitely all be told more often.

By: Janessa

Janessa — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 17:45:06 +0000

I sure did believe these things years ago but no longer. Especially that my body wasn’t normal and life would be easier if it looked a certain way. How terrible.

Superficial things won’t make you love your body like nice clothes and makeup. You have to love yourself enough to take care of you and feel extra great when you do dress up because you care.

By: Lena

Lena — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 18:41:54 +0000

This is one of my favourite posts so far.
I can find a part of myself in all of these myths and having them laid out in front of me is very useful. It makes it easier to question thought patterns and to take a more rational approach in dealing with them.
I remember thinking that my body looked like a monster when I was in primary school, especially when I sat down.
I have very pale skin and dark hair, so body hair shows up very well. I was often asked if I was feeling sick because of my skin colour and adviced to somehow fix it even by adults. My friends in school were less hairy, or at least their hair wasn’t as visible as mine. I was asked if I were a boy because of the hair on my upper lip.
I felt very bad about it and did everything to hide ther percieved “flaws”.
The fact that I am muscular (strong arms in particular) and have very small breasts didn’t make (social) life easier either.
But maybe that is exactly the point. All these aspects and my experiences made me question bullying, body image, the media, the power of words and the influence one can have on others.
My body shaped the way I treat others and turned me into a critical thinker and I therefor I am very proud. “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”

Nonetheless, it would have helped me to know earlier in life that hair on your body is perfectly normal and that the same goes for the shape of your breasts. I honestly thought that there was something wrong with me. I even got my hormon levels checked.

Best wishes!