It is possible for a person to accept themselves regardless of what people say?
I don’t. As a psychologist I heard last week said, humans are social beings. We are constantly interacting with others, we need to interact with others, and as a result, our perception of ourselves cannot help but be largely influenced by what others think or say.
The whole “Sure the magazines all show stick-thin people but I don’t care what others think, I love myself the way I am” spiel is, in my opinion, just the politically-correct, feminist, liberated-woman, cool statement to make when it comes to body shape and self-esteem. I don’t know, maybe some people have actually talked themselves into believing it’s true but let’s be honest here darling. I’m all for boosting our self-esteem – I don’t think women have enough of that anymore – but let’s not lie to do it.
Don’t get me wrong, I totally believe in loving ourselves and accepting our flaws (and good points), but behind every woman who is comfortable with her own body are people who support her, affirm her and tell her she’s beautiful. Not everyone has to agree, it only takes the few who matter, but those few can make all the difference between a life of diet-slavery and plastic surgery, and the confidence that makes a woman all the more attractive.
So that whole “I don’t care what people think, I love myself for who I am” speech? Save it. And thank God instead for the people who love you for who you are.
