Stop vying for a ‘bikini body’! Here’s why

Body shaming never encourages someone to like themselves or have a healthy relationship with their bodies. As the term suggests, it’s only meant to shame someone for the size of their body, appearance, and self-confidence. A term like a bikini body only perpetuates sexist attitudes and a need to fit into our society’s unrealistic beauty standards.

Unfortunately, trying to attain such a body only leads to emotional, physical, and mental health challenges like body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and under extreme circumstances, self-harm. I myself have had ideas of self-harm, because of the size of my body. It’s only natural to worry, when you feel you need to be so embarrassed and fearful.

We should make an effort to remove this confusing and toxic messaging from our social media and other channels, particularly curated images from Instagram and highly photoshopped magazine covers.

What does the term bikini body mean?

The term bikini body is a term that has been used for decades. The term has a vague connotation, and its usage is very narrow and limiting. The term was originally used to describe the perfect body that women should have in order to wear a bikini, which is a two-piece swimsuit. It’s not only sexist but also unrealistic and unattainable. There are many ways to promote self-acceptance, but the term “bikini body” is not one of them. It encourages women to look down upon their own bodies, no matter what their body size. Instead, it is time to let go of the labels that keep us spiritually weakened and humanly shamed.

Choose empowerment instead

Body positivity, self-acceptance, and spiritual confidence are some of the movements that encourage people to love themselves and their bodies as they are. It is such movements that promote the idea of self-love and body acceptance. The female body has always been the key to wisdom, confidence, and knowledge.

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What is important is to be in touch with your body, releasing any shame or judgment you have, and learning to love your body unconditionally. Empowerment is not just about how you look, but it is also about how you feel. It is about accepting the body that you have, loving it, and living life unapologetically.

Also, read: A victim of body shaming? Here are 3 ways to deal with haters

It also means to be kind to yourself and to others. It means being aware of the brilliance in your body and releasing any feelings of shame or guilt that might be holding you back from living your best life.

Sexiness comes from within!

True sexiness is independence from unfavorable messages from our parents, culture, and even those closest to us. It is a process of unlearning the old patterns to embrace the new you and letting go of the old programming.

Uncovering your sexiness is a process with a natural progression. Nothing can grow in the absence of clean water and pure light. Similarly, when you shut off the outside noise, and look within, you will recognize and connect to the divine light in you. Be willing to spend time and effort in your personal development by making yourself your number one priority.

How can you begin body positivity?

You can start this process of constructing and re-building by changing the way you talk to yourself about your body. The strength and confidence to be sexy and brilliant must be developed from the inside. This begins with self-knowledge, which includes knowing your good side and your not-so-good side, and from there practicing radical self-acceptance.

Once you have mastered the art of self-love, your spiritual confidence grows tremendously. Furthermore, inner wealth and spiritual strength make one unshakable no matter what society, other people, life throws at you.

(Disclaimer: The views shared by the author are personal.)