This is My Body And I Love It

A negative body image is insidious, especially when it comes to the myths and misconceptions we create in our minds. Especially when we start to accept the insults, the self-criticism and the warped standards as truths. We know that these beliefs and expectations about our bodies have a big impact on how we view and live our lives. We not only become stranded in a sea of negativity, we also risk becoming isolated.

To be able to express our thoughts and views about our bodies seems like the need of the hour. To make that happen, Women Development Cell, Miranda House held an activity called Busting Body Image Myths on the 6th of September. The event was all about celebrating one's individuality and seeing these independent young women come forth and feeling empowered to speak up for a cause made my day.

Some of the myths that were busted are:

Myth #1 Fair is lovely

It is an example of an ancient misogynistic thought process that has been passed on from generation to generation. We need to forget the 'ideal image' – when it comes to beauty, it's time to embrace our unique allure.

Myth #2 A woman is always feminine

Being masculine or feminine is an act of choice - the way a person behaves. A woman can still do a number of things considered 'masculine' and retain her femininity. For example, women who play sports are still feminine.

Myth #3 There is a 'right way' to be with your body

There are over 7 billion people in the world, each with their own unique bodies, make-up, experiences and realities.

The idea that there is ONE right way to have a body is not true. Each of us have so many different things, it's impossible for someone else to know exactly what you should do or even know what you've gone through.

Myth #4 Body acceptance happens overnight, anything longer means you're failing at it.

Another idea we need to get rid of is that loving your body needs to happen in a flash and if you struggle with it, that means you'll never get it. NO.

Myth #5 Body acceptance means not caring about your health

This is perhaps the biggest myth about people who practice a body positive way of life : they've given up on health.

The event aimed to celebrate body diversity through honoring differences in size, age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, class and other human attributes. Breaking the convention of what defines a 'perfect body', in a world where we are consistently bombarded with photoshopped images of ideal bodies, it's easy to feel like an alien for having cellulite or even just pores. Every 'imperfection' you have is normal. Normal comes in all shapes, sizes and forms.

Maybe in today's world all we need is a little acceptance. Acceptance of food habits, acceptance of skin color, acceptance of body weight, and I know in my heart, that this little acceptance in every corner, will make the world brighter and better.