I think the hardest thing for me is the toxic positivity that can surround wellness. Even good motivations can sometimes be really harmful. For example; I've struggled with my body image and eating disorders on and off throughout my life. At times I'll take really "posey" mirror selfies (or regular selfies) where I angle my leg, arch my …
I think the hardest thing for me is the toxic positivity that can surround wellness. Even good motivations can sometimes be really harmful. For example; I've struggled with my body image and eating disorders on and off throughout my life. At times I'll take really "posey" mirror selfies (or regular selfies) where I angle my leg, arch my back a little, flex the arm a little, tilt the chin-all kinds of contortions so that on camera I look fitter and skinnier than I am in reality. It makes me feel good to look at the photo and like what I see. But the problem with that is then I look in the mirror and it doesn't match the photo. It's not my reality. And I realize I desire that "look" because so many health influencers look that way in their photos. Now that I've been there, I can look at their pictures and notice the arm flex, the neck stretch, the angle of their hips that have been perfected to look "natural". On one hand it gives me some peace that they're not perfect either; but on the other hand it worries me what those altered realities are doing to other people who are struggling with their own image by comparing themselves to an image that isn't even real. I wish that we could all just be ourselves, truly and authentically and in the moment on social media so that the comparing can end! (or at least be a lot more realistic).
I think the hardest thing for me is the toxic positivity that can surround wellness. Even good motivations can sometimes be really harmful. For example; I've struggled with my body image and eating disorders on and off throughout my life. At times I'll take really "posey" mirror selfies (or regular selfies) where I angle my leg, arch my back a little, flex the arm a little, tilt the chin-all kinds of contortions so that on camera I look fitter and skinnier than I am in reality. It makes me feel good to look at the photo and like what I see. But the problem with that is then I look in the mirror and it doesn't match the photo. It's not my reality. And I realize I desire that "look" because so many health influencers look that way in their photos. Now that I've been there, I can look at their pictures and notice the arm flex, the neck stretch, the angle of their hips that have been perfected to look "natural". On one hand it gives me some peace that they're not perfect either; but on the other hand it worries me what those altered realities are doing to other people who are struggling with their own image by comparing themselves to an image that isn't even real. I wish that we could all just be ourselves, truly and authentically and in the moment on social media so that the comparing can end! (or at least be a lot more realistic).