A Plea to the Girls, Part 2

    This isn't exactly a follow-up to my previous post with this title (it's been quite some time since I wrote that post), but I have a homework assignment that asks that I post positive-body-image encouragement on social media and this is as close as I get!

    For context: I've been taking a Nutrition class this semester, and one of the major themes we're exploring is body image and how negative body image has become a huge problem for many, many people. Here are a few things I've learned:

    As of 2016, 86% of women were dissatisfied with their appearance. A common method of dealing with this dissatisfaction is dieting, but it turns out that diet culture is extremely unhealthy, because it encourages a cycle of restricted eating followed by binging, followed by restricted eating out of guilt, followed by binging, around and around and around. Diet culture leads many people to gaining more pounds instead of losing them, and also contributes to depression.

    One of the main problems? Social media.

    Social media is flooded with negative messages about body image and impossible standards about what the "ideal" body looks like. Health influencers often have eating disorders, and their messages often contribute to eating disorders in their audiences--not to mention all the websites that actively encourage anorexia and disordered eating. Advertising is loaded with products and schemes to "help you lose weight," but really, all those companies want is your money.

    My friends, we have a problem. A big one. And it's going to take everything we've got to solve it.

    The best way to fight back on the individual level is to spread messages of positivity, acceptance, and love, as far and wide as we can.

    So, with that in mind, here's mine:

    Every person is beautiful, just the way they are. In fact, in my mind, the quality of your character does more to impact your beauty than the way you look. I will never find someone with poor character and no morals attractive, regardless of how well they align with the standards corporations push out as the ideal. I would rather spend my time with someone kind than someone whose body fits some arbitrary standard.

    Your weight doesn't say as much about you as you may think. In fact, if you are generally healthy and capable of doing everything you want to do with your life, then your weight really doesn't matter. Different body types exist, and that's okay--in fact, it's a good thing! Focus on being healthy, not on being skinny, because healthy means you can live your life however you want, with complete freedom to use your body and do whatever you want to do.

    Beauty comes from the inside, from your character. Your body is a tool to express that beauty through your kindness, your art, your passion and drive to make the world a better place. Don't ever lose sight of that truth.