The precious seven years of teenage that can extend for a few people up to their mid-20s is marked by a significant growth spurt. The struggle to be an adult and not having bid farewell to childhood; a desire to be independent and unique without realizing the extreme dependence on peer pressure and media influence; teenage years can be uncertain, complex and confusing. Developing one’s self-esteem, deciding one’s roles in the social structure, making choices that can have life-long ramifications; teenage is full of adrenaline and change, excitement and complications.
One’s developing body can raise paradoxes. We like the new curves and cuts the body develops and we dislike the change and criticize ourselves very often.
Let’s answer a simple question. Is the mirror my friend?
- When I look into the mirror, do I find a person I would like to smile at?
- When I look at myself in the mirror, top-to-bottom, do I find a comfortable person – comfortable with my hair, my eyes, my cheekbones, the curve of my neck, the shape and size of my chest, the shape of my abdomen, the length of my legs, the shape of my calf, etc. etc?
- When I look into my eyes every morning, do my eyes twinkle and does my face light up?
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Body image develops during our teen years. We begin to like our bodies and appreciate it, or we try too hard to hide it, modify it or maintain it. We compare ourselves with our peers – body weight, skin texture, color or marks, body tone, right abdomen, height, hair texture, bounce and color, the right make-up, right accessories, manicured hands and pedicured feet, length of facial hair – the right mustache, stubble or a clean shave. This comparison makes us judge ourselves. The growing cosmetic and fashion industry has added its demands of time and money investment into our body to make an impression and present ourselves as a fashion statement.
A message for our Teenage Friends –
Let us consider few things before dismissing your bodies as imperfect.
- Let us go back to the timeless saying, “beauty lies in the eyes of a beholder”. Look at yourself with your own eyes, not borrowed eyes of a critic.
- Love yourself as the person you are. Minor imperfections add to the uniqueness of our personality. Admire this uniqueness.
- Look into your eyes and smile (a timeless make-up tip)
- Look into the mirror once or twice a day and admire the body part you are liking the most at that moment.
- Love your body – eat healthy, sleep enough and drink enough water.
- If you are not able to like yourselves, spend more time with people who like you.
- RESPECT YOUR BODY
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Love your perfections and imperfections.
Disliking your body during your teen years leave life-long scars that will add to your ugliness. Liking your body will add to your beauty. Remember there is a small paradox to change – the harder you try to change, the lesser you will change. The more you accept who you are, the more you will change for the better. Enjoy your teenage, love your body and look at yourself from the right angle.
You are beautiful, handsome, perfect in your own way. Make the mirror your friend.
Love “YOU” 🙂