Flashback article!
This was our most viewed Facebook Story of all time. (First posted May 9th 2012)
Do you pass the test?
Loving Her Self
This is a test. This is only a test of the Emergency Body Image System. An exercise at your desk will be conducted immediately to determine if you are prepared or not prepared to love yourself. If this had been an actual emergency, you would have been instructed to tune into Christina Aguilera singing “Beautiful” over and over until you are prepared to love yourself.
At this time, please grab the nearest pencil, paper and timing device.
This is only a test.
Step 1:
Write the numbers 1 through 10 on your paper. Now list 10 things you would change about your physical appearance if you had a magic wand. Note how long this takes you.
Ready. Set. Write.
Step 2:
Turn the paper over and write the numbers 1 through 5 on the back. Now list 5 things you love about your physical appearance. However, you cannot follow any of these items with a “but.” For example, you can’t write “my bootylicious booty BUT not the cottage cheese.” No “buts” allowed (pun intended).
Ready. Set. Write.
What did you learn?
Personally, I found my results shocking and oh so sad. I had a difficult time sticking to just 10 things I would change about my physical appearance. In fact, I started doubling them up. Yes, old lady hands AND old lady feet can be combined on one line to make room for scrawny calf muscles. And yet I had a difficult time coming up with five “loves” that weren’t followed by a “but.” I think it’s time for an attitude adjustment starting right now with the next step.
Step 3:
Take a look at your first list of things you would change. Circle the ones that can be altered. For example, if a muffin top made your list, circle it. You have power over the muffin IF you choose to fight that battle. Would it be easy? No. But if you are able to turn just two or three of these items into a “love” or an “I can live with this” then surely you are one step closer to feeling comfortable in your own skin.
Obviously some items we inherit and can’t be changed. Learn to embrace those and move them to your love list because these are typically the traits that make us unique and beautiful to others anyway.
The goal is not to be perfect. The goal is to be confident. When you are confident, you are more likely to be successful. Can we learn to love ourselves while embracing our flaws? I hope so because Mother Nature and Father Time are fighting for the enemy.
Now create a new list. Start with number one and write your name. Now continue to list all the women you know, movie stars and the women next door, who are perfectly IMPERFECT and TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL. Ready. Set. Write.
This concludes the Emergency Body Image Test. Thank you for your cooperation.