The Body Image Project: April 2010

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Age 19

When I look in the mirror, I see a beautiful face, hot body. Not the perfect boob-waist-hip, but I love everything about me. I wouldn’t change a thing.

I would not change my smallish boobs, large butt, stubby fingers or straight, yet, obtuse nose. It all forms what I see to be the hottest girl in the world - though I am still coming to terms with the fact that not everyone can see what I see.

I am close to turning 20 and I have never had a boyfriend, never even been close. I have tried to take a step back from what I see in the mirror. I even thought I had a reverse image disorder, but no - I love me. All of me. My personality, my wit (okay, sarcasm) and my body. Just because boys in college have failed to see the beauty of me, I don’t want them to bring me down. Though I am scared everyday that I will one day look in the mirror and see what everybody else sees. I am scared that one day, I will finally give in to society and see something other then myself. I don’t know what that is, because for some reason I have been blessed with high self-esteem and it seems that I am invincible except for my heart where I longed to be loved.

I am strong, beautiful and I know it.

Want To Share?

The Body Image Project is an online project searching for women and girls of all ages to share their individual experiences and feelings about their own body image perceptions. The goal of the project is to have women and girls take the brave step of sharing their story, break the hold these perceptions have and ultimately reveal to those who share and those who read the thoughts of others – you are not alone. It is a rare opportunity to share without fear of judgment - share in a healthy manner. We ask that individuals include their age so the reader witnesses the wide-range of ages and the wide-range of issues women and girls are facing (often silently).

Share your story. Keep it short and simple - the impact will be huge.

To share your story, simply email your words to bodyprojectsubmission@gmail.com.

Background

Body image dissatisfaction is a growing epidemic in our society. Women, teenagers – and now young girls – have become obsessed with obtaining the “perfect body” which can lead to an unimaginable sense of self-loathing. Society targets women with constant attacks on their bodies creating a false belief that our value – our worth – is based on appearance alone. We have become enslaved to the beauty myth and to our unwavering attempt to fit in, skewing the mental picture we have of ourselves.

The Body Image Project simply asks “when you look in the mirror, what do you see?” Do you embrace your physical appearance, or yearn for change? Do you accept your physical differences or take extreme measures in an attempt to change your body? How far are you willing to go to feel better about yourself? Are you happy?

Be honest. Be open. Express yourself without fear of judgment.

Through your words and shared thoughts, The Body Image Project will take an unflinching look at how women and girls perceive their bodies, allow individuals an opportunity to reveal their perceptions of their own self-image and explain how far some are willing to go to fit in.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Age 19

The Question

Want To Share?

Background

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