Most of us would agree mutilating our body because we hate ourselves is unhealthy. Acting against our health by withholding food or making unrealistic demands on ourselves seems obviously wrong, but yet we see it happen. Neighbors, actors, models, even family members mutilate themselves out of hatred.

Sometimes we also try to better ourselves because of fear. We feel we don’t fit in or we aren’t pretty enough. We are too fat, too ugly or too nice. So we try to change because we fear rejection.

I’ve heard many times that we need to love ourselves as we are today. How do we do that?

• Highlight one part of yourself, your voice, your slim fingers and focus on that one attribute.
• Steal someone’s persona. If you adore a well-known actress for her hair and yours is similar, hijack that feeling. Someone once told me I reminded him of Kate Winslet. Recently Vogue photographed Kate and used Photoshop, as is their norm, creating a big brouhaha. Kate Winslet’s Vogue Cover.  Once before, GQ visually slimmed her down but stated it wasn’t drastic. I’m glad that someone noticed her original beauty.
• Be. Just be who you are and meet your own needs. Don’t withhold food, clothing or love. Just as you would see a child’s need for these things, see your own need. 

That’s where I’m at. I’m still looking and may stumble upon other ways to love me. What’s yours? In the meantime, I refuse to be cruel to myself.

Related articles

• Kate Winslet Doesn’t Resemble Kate Winslet’s Vogue Cover
• Vogue Explores Celebrity In The Digital Age With Original Shorts Starring Jessica Chastain And Kate Winslet
• Jezebel.com offers $10,000 for Lena Dunham’s unretouched Vogue pictures
• Mom-bashing needs to stop
• 10 Female Celebrities Who Have Amazing Views On Body Image
• Kate Winslet: ‘You Don’t Have to Be a Size 2’
• Sticks, Stones, and Ugly Words
• You Win
• Dare to Be