Body Image
Recently, a memory of myself popped up from when I was a sophomore in high school. It was a picture of me flexing my muscles, wearing my basketball shorts, making myself a post workout shake. I remember thinking when I first saw this picture, I look so happy and I was so proud of my muscles that I worked so hard on. When I looked at that picture again last night, that was unfortunately not my initial thought process. I immediately critiqued myself for looking too muscular.
Over time, social media has really damaged my perception (and others) of myself. If I had a penny for every time I looked in the mirror and said something mean about myself, I’d be retired by now (lol). I’m all for promoting health and wellness because I am one of those people who strongly believes in it. However, I think it’s important to remind yourself to be doing it for all the right reasons: to take care of yourself, to feel good, for mental health reasons, etc.
That being said, I think it’s important that we recognize there is so much more to a person than looks: who you are on the inside. Your hobbies. Your interests. What you do in your free time, etc. As someone who has always struggled with mental health (and has also been an athlete my entire life), I need working out just as much to simply clear my head and to start the day off on the right foot, rather than just physical reasons.
As a young girl in my 20s I think it’s pretty important to recognize that we have grown up in a social media era. I also have a 15 year old sister, who has had social media her entire life and that’s all she has ever known. The era of young girls (and boys as well) picking themselves apart. Comparing themselves to others. I think it’s important that we continue to have conversations with those around us, regardless of their age, to reassure them that we are way more than what we portray on the screen or see in the mirror.
Life is short and fragile. We miss moments when we pick ourselves apart. Focus on who you are on the inside. Focus on the precious moments you get to spend with people you love the most.
And as always, I’m here for anyone (along with my Step Back team) who may be struggling and wants to talk/get things off their chest ♥️ #mentalhealthmatters The Step Back Foundation
Over time, social media has really damaged my perception (and others) of myself. If I had a penny for every time I looked in the mirror and said something mean about myself, I’d be retired by now (lol). I’m all for promoting health and wellness because I am one of those people who strongly believes in it. However, I think it’s important to remind yourself to be doing it for all the right reasons: to take care of yourself, to feel good, for mental health reasons, etc.
That being said, I think it’s important that we recognize there is so much more to a person than looks: who you are on the inside. Your hobbies. Your interests. What you do in your free time, etc. As someone who has always struggled with mental health (and has also been an athlete my entire life), I need working out just as much to simply clear my head and to start the day off on the right foot, rather than just physical reasons.
As a young girl in my 20s I think it’s pretty important to recognize that we have grown up in a social media era. I also have a 15 year old sister, who has had social media her entire life and that’s all she has ever known. The era of young girls (and boys as well) picking themselves apart. Comparing themselves to others. I think it’s important that we continue to have conversations with those around us, regardless of their age, to reassure them that we are way more than what we portray on the screen or see in the mirror.
Life is short and fragile. We miss moments when we pick ourselves apart. Focus on who you are on the inside. Focus on the precious moments you get to spend with people you love the most.
And as always, I’m here for anyone (along with my Step Back team) who may be struggling and wants to talk/get things off their chest ♥️ #mentalhealthmatters The Step Back Foundation