I've pondered frequently on my body image. Too often I self edit and am embarrassed or self-conscious about how my body appears. My least favorite feature has always been my tummy. Since eighth grade I remember looking in the mirror and wishing it was flatter. But it's not. Even though I exercise, and watch what I eat. My stomach remains to stow a little bump over the lower abdomen. Last summer Bryan bought me an awesome bikini that he loved on me. But I still haven't worn it. Not even once. Because I just don't feel comfortable exposing my midriff when my stomach isn't "perfect."
But what is perfection when it comes to the human form? A couple of days ago Bryan showed me a picture of Kim Kardashian's latest magazine cover. She looked absolutely ravishing, sexy, and flawless. Then Bryan showed me the 'before' picture. The raw image that wasn't photo shopped or air brushed. Through computer magic, they lobbed out a huge chunk of her thighs, hips, arms, shrunk her waist two sizes, then made it flat. All of this was a digital allusion. She looked beautiful before, but after she was a mythical goddess. These are the tricks used to show us what we "should" look like. But the models and actresses that we see on television and in the magazines-they don't even look like that!
I want our generation to make an end of self-loathing. Enough is enough. I'm sick of looking at other women and thinking they are beautiful {in every size and shape} then hypocritically not giving myself even a slight margin for error. In short, I want to love my body now. Not after I lose a few pounds, or when my tummy is finally flat. I want to love my body today, not tomorrow. And that is what I plan on doing.
To combat this problem, I have lined up interviews and a guest blogger to candidly address the triumphs and struggles of learning to love our bodies in the present tense. Together we are going to make some positive changes in how we choose to see ourselves in a full-length mirror. If you feel inspired by this series or would like to share a personal story or message, please e-mail me at ashley.yazzie@gmail.com.
