Body image will always be quite a complex topic for women around the world. Many believe it is one of the most important factors for fitting into society. However, technology like social media muddy the waters of what is acceptable body image and what is not, reportedly promoting toxic body image at a scale never before seen by the world.

There are ongoing debates surrounding unrealistic body image and beauty standards in social media. For example, women are demanded to be fair-skinned and slim to be considered beautiful. As a result, those who do not fit these standards take a blow to their self-esteem.

This article will explore how social media affects body image, its risks, and practical steps to counter its harmful effects. Discover ways to embrace your unique beauty and reclaim confidence in a world of filtered perfection.

How social media is affecting body image

Body image refers to how you perceive your body color, weight, and height.

You can have a positive or negative body image, depending on your level of self-concept. External factors, like social media, can also influence how you see yourself. 

Social media has been identified as one of the biggest hurdles for women to embrace their body image positively. It promotes unrealistic beauty standards, as well as forces women to seek validation from others to value themselves positively.

Below, you’ll find an explanation of toxic social media cultures and their impact on how you view yourself.

Unrealistic beauty standards and comparison culture

Social media normalizes unrealistic beauty standards. For example, women may feel pressured to be excessively thin due to the ideal sizes promoted by trendsetting fashion companies. Consequently, those who feel like they are not as skinny as this “ideal” size could end up developing eating disorders. 

Ideal body image in the media also leads women to engage in unhealthy routines, such as extreme exercise and dieting. For example, if a celebrity successfully loses weight, people will force themselves to try this celebrity’s method, not knowing that it may not suit their bodies.

If you focus solely on getting skinny as quickly as possible, you may use a celebrity’s dieting method as a shortcut to reach your goals. However, this approach can harm your physical and mental well-being.

A worse scenario might happen if attempting to mimic that celebrity’s lifestyle doesn’t work. You’ll feel discouraged and compare yourself to celebrities or others who succeed with the diet. Consequently, this habit can lower your self-esteem and make you question your worth.

Read more: Beautiful Bodies: The Importance of Loving Your Body

The role of filters and photo editing

Another reason you might struggle to appreciate your body image is that social media normalizes the excessive use of filters and photo-editing tools.

Photo filters are usually used to enhance the quality of a photo. However, with the advancement of technology, there are now many available filters that can change the features of your body to fit the ideal look you desire.

Social media and body image research shows a link between how attractive people perceive themselves and how they feel about themselves overall. As a result, more people feel confident after applying filters to their posts and feel less satisfied with their daily looks.

The psychology of likes and validation

The relationship between social media and body image is further complicated by the rise of “influencer” culture.

Influencers, often idealized figures on social media, set beauty standards and trends. Many people believe that imitating these influencers will enhance their lives. They think it will bring them closer to becoming influencers and earning followers’ validation.

Not to mention harmful social media trends. Many social media trends are going on at any given time. These trends can encourage you to do whatever it takes to gain validation from others.

For instance, following popular  Korean beauty diets to lose weight quickly has left many women malnourished. Chasing these trends can harm your physical health and self-esteem, making it important to approach them cautiously.

Practices for overcoming negative body image influences

You need to keep several things in mind to manage social media’s positive impact on body image. Here are some other practices that you can try to use social media wisely to support a positive body image:

Practice body neutrality

Instead of forcing you to practice body positivity, a popular new term, “body neutrality,” allows you to have a better relationship with your body.

Body neutrality is how people balance their perception of their body image to avoid excessive positivity and negativity. Furthermore, body neutrality focuses on accepting and respecting your own body, instead of loving or hating it. Here are some practical advice to practice body neutrality:

• Stop checking your body too much. Your insecurities might develop once you check on yourself too many times. Thus, paying less attention to how you look in the mirror or photos might help create a more positive relationship with your body.
• Wear anything that makes you feel comfortable. By choosing comfortable clothes instead of following trends, you will no longer feel pressured to fit into certain societal standards.
• Create your own movement pace. Instead of following unrealistic workout routines, exercising at your own pace will enhance your physical and psychological health. Furthermore, appreciating your body’s abilities is better than focusing on how many calories you burn.

Body neutrality helps you avoid unrealistic beauty standards and enhance your self-acceptance. It challenges negative thoughts caused by societal expectations about women’s bodies. However, keep your actions balanced. Overlooking the positive aspects of your body image is still bad.

Limit and curate social media consumption

The root cause of the current issue surrounding women’s body image is the excessive use of social media. Therefore, limit and curate your social media consumption to address this problem.

Here are several things that you can do to manage your social media use positively:

• Curate your social media timeline. Instead of following negative, unrealistic influencers, follow accounts that promote body positivity, diversity, and self-love. If necessary, mute or unfollow negative accounts.
• Focus on your real connections. By recognizing the importance of real interactions with people around you, you can gain more positive energy to face the day. This also reduces exposure to negative content. Plus, enjoyable real-time activities develop self-compassion.
• Practice mindfulness. Be aware of your emotions and thoughts after seeing upsetting social media content. Doing so lets you determine the next steps to overcome these feelings. For example, you can replace those negative thoughts with positive affirmations about your bodies.

Develop self-compassion and positive self-talk

Self-compassion is how you are being kind to yourself through acceptance. In supporting how you perceive your body image, self-compassion helps you to be able to practice positive body talk. 

Self-compassion can help debunk negative body talk by helping you recognize your value. As a result, you can naturally set aside negative self-criticism and replace it with positive affirmations. This can help you embrace your body image and develop a healthier relationship with your body.

Here are several things you can do to enhance your self-compassion and positive body-talk:

• Positive affirmations. The easiest way to practice positive affirmations is to incorporate them into your daily routine. You can create affirmations emphasizing your strengths and worth to shift your focus away from insecurities. For example, “my hair is unique and lovely” or “my skin is beautiful and healthy.“
• Regular self-care. Practicing self-care can help you nourish your body and mind. Activities like yoga and meditation help you be more calm.
• Positive offline activities. Face-to-face interactions create a genuine connection with others. Furthermore, offline interactions can reduce your exposure to unrealistic beauty standards. This will help you cut the comparison habit, increasing self-acceptance and body positivity.

Read more: Overcoming Negative Body Image in a Judgmental Society

In conclusion

Social media offers both benefits and drawbacks for everyone. However, one of the most significant drawbacks is that it dramatically challenges women’s body image.

Social media affects this perspective by spreading unrealistic body standards and unhealthy lifestyles.

It is essential to stay mindful when using social media to maintain a positive body image. By incorporating the practices above, you can combat the negative pressure of social media on your body image, resulting in better mental and physical well-being.

Love and embrace your uniquely beautiful body!

If you would like to see more resources on self-concept, check out the Personal Resilience Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Personal Resilience Science Labs today.

Photo by kroshka__nastya on Freepik

The post How Social Media is Affecting Body Image, and How Women Can Overcome It appeared first on Insights.

These quotes are everywhere, be it in self-help books, songs, or even movies. But what is it actually about? Does that mean “finding yourself” is a lifelong journey of discovery? Does that mean you haven’t found yourself until you can explore life?

These quotes are not wrong. However, people might see it as a pursuit of a brand new identity, as being a completely new person. If so, you might wonder, does the identity shaped throughout your lifetime matter? 

In this article, you will learn that “finding yourself’ is actually about rediscovering yourself. Breaking misconceptions about “finding yourself,” you will learn that it is not about leaving your old identity behind. However, it is about revisiting your old self. So, how exactly do you rediscover yourself by revisiting your old self? Read this article, and you will find out.  

Understanding self-concept

To rediscover yourself, first, you need to know your self-concept. What is a self-concept? 

Self-concept is a broad term that refers to how individuals perceive themselves.  It involves acting in ways that help them become their true selves and make them unique based on their experiences. Self-concept is the accumulation of one’s life experiences and preferred beliefs about oneself. The person notices and understands these actions and experiences, forming their self-concept. 

Psychologist Carl Rogers created one of the most well-known models of self-concept, who believed it could be broken down into three primary components: real self, ideal self, and self-esteem. 

Real self

Carl Rogers believed that every individual possesses a real self. This real self is connected to an individual’s inner character and true personality. It reflects the aspects of themselves that feel genuine and authentic. Even though it might not be perfect, it represents the part of the individuals that feels the most real.

The real self is important for understanding yourself from the core, especially through self-awareness and self-acceptance. Recognizing and embracing the real self helps develop self-esteem. 

Ideal self

The ideal self represents the desires and ambitions a person has to achieve their goals. The concept of the ideal self changes as people grow older. What might seem ideal in childhood may not be the same in teenage years or later in life. This shows that ambitions and goals are highly dynamic.

The ideal self can be a mix of personal aspirations and pressures from the outside world. Recognizing this balance can help you understand yourself better and strive for goals that truly resonate with your authentic self.

Self-esteem 

Self-esteem reflects how individuals evaluate their overall worth and value themselves. 

In order to have better self-esteem, the real self and the ideal self must be aligned. Carl Rogers referred to this as the importance of congruence in self-concept.

Incongruence manifests as a wide gap between a person’s actual experiences and their ideal expectations. It leads to low self-esteem as individuals struggle to reconcile their authentic selves with external pressures. 

In contrast, the congruence state is when the ideal self and the real self are in harmony. When they are both aligned, individuals usually are more accepting of themselves despite external expectations. This fosters a sense of inner peace and allows individuals to pursue goals that resonate with their authentic selves, enhancing their overall sense of self-worth and self-esteem. 

Read more: Three Ways To Boost Your Self-Esteem 

Breaking the misconception of “finding yourself”

The notion of “finding yourself” is often mistakenly perceived as a pursuit to become an entirely different person, which is potentially detrimental to one’s self-esteem. This perspective creates unrealistic expectations and puts heavy pressure on individuals to disregard the parts of themselves that have developed over the years. 

Let’s shift the perspective of “finding yourself” as a journey of rediscovery, through acknowledging and appreciating the elements of your self-concept that have been cultivated over time. Rather than aiming for radical transformation, try to emphasize understanding and valuing who you already are.

Real self: It already exists, so recognize and value it

Firstly, let’s take a look at your real self. When people talk about “finding yourself,” they inadvertently ignore or undervalue their real selves, as if their identity is still a blank slate waiting to be discovered.

This misconception leads to dissatisfaction with one’s own identity, which makes one perpetually search for something that already exists.

Rather than trying to reinvent yourself, recognizing and valuing the real self leads you to a deeper sense of fulfillment. Acknowledging this aspect of identity is key to developing a positive self-concept.

Ideal self: Pursue goals that resonate with your true values

Second, let’s take a look at your ideal self. When embarking on a journey of “finding yourself,” it is crucial to reflect on your motivations. Are you seeking to become someone who meets your ideals, or are you pursuing a self that gains acceptance from others? 

Misaligning your real self with an externally driven ideal leads to constantly feeling inadequate. This is why you must ensure that your goals resonate with your true values.

Self-esteem: Align your real self with your ideal self

Lastly, look at your self-esteem. If you feel you are not enough or lack worth, you might hope that “finding yourself” will magically elevate your self-esteem. However, healthy self-esteem stems from aligning your real self with your ideal self, not by transforming into someone entirely new.

This is why “finding yourself” should be reframed as rediscovering yourself. Rather than striving to become a completely different person, the journey should be about accepting and valuing your real self while pursuing aspirations that genuinely resonate with you. 

Practical tips for your rediscovery

Revisiting your old self will help you gain confidence and self-love. This process involves reflecting on past experiences and identifying what you could and could not control. This develops a more balanced perspective on your life and reduces self-blame. 

To find yourself again, you can start rediscovery practices, such as reflective journaling, seeking feedback, and mindfulness.

Read more: From Inner Critic to Inner Coach: Overcoming Negative Self-Talk and Unlocking Personal Growth

Reflective journaling

This powerful self-rediscovery tool allows you to explore past experiences, emotions, and values. Self-reflection is crucial because it helps you shape your self-concept. 

Reflective journaling provides a structured way to self-reflect, offering a safe space to analyze and evaluate yourself. To understand more about your real self and ideal self, you can start journaling using this prompt: 

• What do you like most about your personality? What parts of your personality do you find difficult to accept?
• Share one or two major life events that have played a key role in shaping who you are today.
• Reflect on one or two opinions you once held but have since questioned or changed. What made you reconsider those beliefs?
• Which values do you prioritize the most in life (such as honesty, justice, altruism, loyalty, etc.)? How do your actions reflect these values?
• What three changes could you make to better align your life with your personal values?

Seeking feedback

Seeking feedback from trusted people is an invaluable tool for understanding your strengths and areas for growth.

While it might initially seem counterintuitive, regularly asking for and acting on feedback will enhance your confidence and self-esteem. As you observe your progress and improvements over time, you’ll gain a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing your belief in your ability to adapt and overcome challenges.

Receiving feedback is more difficult than providing it. It requires humility, openness, and a willingness to embrace change. Therefore, here are three essential strategies for making this practice less difficult:

• Listen actively. Try to mindfully focus when your friends, family, partner, or colleagues give feedback without giving responses immediately.
• Ask clarifying questions. When unsure about any part of the feedback, try to clarify politely. This will ensure you fully understand the feedback and show the person providing it that you are genuinely interested in their perspective.
• Reflect and decide on action. Once you’ve received the feedback, take some time to think about it. Assess its accuracy, relevance, and potential benefits, then determine the actions you will take based on the feedback.

Practicing mindfulness 

Practicing mindfulness helps you stay present and connect with your true self. By staying grounded in the present, you will access a more balanced state where you can introduce positive practices that enhance your self-awareness and self-esteem. 

Mindfulness allows you to create a gap between your thoughts and reactions, helping to break down automatic responses. Here’s how you can practice mindfulness throughout your day:

• Dedicate some time. You don’t need any special equipment like a meditation cushion or bench to practice mindfulness. However, it’s essential to set aside some time and create a space for it.
• Focus on the present moment. The goal of mindfulness isn’t to silence the mind or achieve a state of complete calm. Instead, it’s about paying attention to the present moment while avoiding any thoughts that come and go.
• Be gentle with your mind. Avoid being harsh on yourself when any thoughts come up. Instead, practice recognizing when your mind has drifted and gently redirecting it back to the present moment.

Read more: The Philosophy of Mindful Movement for Mental Health: Examining Pilates and Yoga

In conclusion 

Now, you have finally understood that “finding yourself” is more about rediscovering and accepting your authentic self rather than becoming someone entirely new. When you’re in doubt of what you are, always remember that you always have you in you.

Start your journey of self-rediscovery today, and you will be more connected to yourself. Hold your head up high, loving yourself for who you are.

If you would like to see more resources on self-concept, check out the Happiness Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Happiness Science Labs today.

Photo by benzoix on Freepik

The post “Finding Yourself” is Really About Rediscovering Yourself appeared first on Insights.