Ellie's practical tips on how to feel more Comfortable In Your Skin
Welcome to another blog from the ‘Ask Ellie’ submissions. I am really passionate to chat about today’s topic because this is what I love helping people do, be COMFORTABLE IN MY SKIN!
What are some practical tips for when you’re feeling triggered by a photograph of yourself or judging your body in the mirror? I am curious what helps people in these moments.
I started this movement due to the insecurities I had around my own vulva and labia and when I opened up the conversation, I realised more and more that other people also felt similar insecurities about their bodies in general.
Unfortunately our world has changed our perspective of our bodies, society has impacted the original confidence that people felt around their bodies, even social media has impacted us on this. We are constantly marketed to with brands using our insecurities to cause us to buy new items, or if we weren’t insecure about it, we are now!
We see images of 50 year old people, with absolutely no context, and we wonder why we don’t look like that. We haven’t seen the 6 day a week strict workout routine they’re on or maybe they have a super fast metabolism and it’s just part of their natural body make-up to remain slim. The photograph of the new mum who ‘bounced back’ after pregnancy and shaming someone else who hasn’t.
Headlines, tabloids, gossip magazines, websites, social media accounts, all trying to tell us there is something wrong with our body
Enough is enough. OUR BODIES ARE BEAUTIFUL. ARE BODIES ARE UNIQUE. OUR BODIES CARRY US EACH DAY, THEY HOLD WATER, BLOOD, OXYGEN, I MEAN WE BREATHE AND WE DON’T EVEN FUCKING HAVE TO TELL OUR BODY WHAT TO DO.
You know that flat stomach everyone is striving for? We have a bump near our pelvis for a reason, it’s our uterus (if you have one). I mean, people with uterus’ can carry humans. WOW.
Ok, here are my top tips for feeling better about yourself and not judging yourself.
When you feel shitty about a photo or looking in the mirror, ask yourself WHY? Is it genuinely YOU who feels this way, or is it a projection of society's expectations on you?
Acknowledge that you’re on a journey to loving yourself and choose to spend more time in the mirror and telling yourself what you love about you. It’s ok to not mention everything right away, but work towards being able to compliment your WHOLE self.
AFFIRMATIONS. What do you need to hear? Give yourself daily mirror compliments.
If you feel triggered by a photograph, allow it. You’re allowed to not like photos of yourself, but make sure you do it Marie Kondo style, thank yourself and then delete the photo, It’s okay to do that.
ORGASM!!! Nothing like releasing those endorphins to get some good love flowing.
Ask your friends to HYPE YOU UP and give you a compliment. It’s okay to ask for external help (as long as you’re doing it yourself too).
Remember, self love is a journey, be kind to yourself along the way but know that when you decide to consciously work through something, you will start to notice a difference, day by day!
