We all have complexes. But sometimes they get in the way of a good, happy life. Because we don’t feel good about our bodies. We don’t like it and constantly criticize it. In fact, we feel we’re not beautiful people, and so we think we’re worthless. So how can we accept our bodies and feel happy and at ease? Here are 5 gentle steps to follow.

1 – Taking stock of your image

In life, there are things we can change and things we can’t. Our bodies are no different.

The same applies to our bodies. We can change some things, but not others.

And, often, the problem is that we focus on the things we can’t change. Making our lives unbearable to live.

That’s why the first step to accepting your body is to take stock.

To do this, take a sheet of paper and a pencil and make a list of everything you’d like to change about your body and everything you’d like to change but can’t.

Take your time.

Also, in this first step, don’t focus on how you can change this or that. It’s not time yet. Just note on one side what you think you could change if you had the means, and note on the other side what you really can’t change.

2 – Stop comparing yourself and accept your body

First of all, you may want to change everything about your body. Please put love back at the center of it all.

And, above all, stop comparing your body to the “plasticised”, “botoxed” ones on TV.

Stop trying to look like a Barbie or a Ken.

Now, it’s possible that you just can’t stand the shape of your nose, your breasts, your weight…

And I totally understand.

But, if the list of things you’d like and can change includes more than 3 things, that’s way too much. Way too much.

It’s not a question of means, but a question of love for yourself. Do you really want to inflict all these changes on your body, abusing it like this?

Take stock. Narrow down your first list.

3 – Taking control

Now that you’ve only got one, two or even three things left to change, and you can change them, it’s time to take control of yourself.

What’s stopping you from losing weight for a slimmer body? What’s stopping you from wearing braces for a more beautiful smile?

Is it time? Money? Lack of knowledge?

Make them your goals. In other words, find the time, save the money, learn what you need to learn.

Take charge of your life. Because a slimmer body and a more beautiful smile don’t just happen. You need to make an effort, a real goal.

I’m telling you all this because I had to wait until I was 34 to have enough money to wear braces. It’s no coincidence that I’m writing this article. Tomorrow is my penultimate appointment and I’m so excited.

If I did it, you can do it too.

So make it your goal and take as much time as you need.

But make sure you take it slowly and, above all, with patience and perseverance.

Because not everything can be done in a day, that’s okay, as long as you keep moving forward.

4 – Make peace and accept your body

So what to do about those body parts you can’t change? You have to make peace with them.

Because accepting your body means understanding that your body is not an object, a doll that you can reshape to suit your desires.

In fact, our body is what it is. It’s a marvelous machine that allows us to live.

We’re not here on earth to be beautiful, perfect and desirable. We’re here to live.

It’s a gift we’ve been given.

And it’s because we misunderstand the meaning of our bodies that we see our lives as a burden rather than a gift.

In other words, to accept your body is to make peace with it. It’s accepting that it is what it is, and that it’s doing a magnificent job.

5 – Take a step aside and accept your body

So, yes, there are things you can change. Your waistline, your smile, the shape of your nose, the size of your breasts if you really want to.

But, at some point, you’ll have to accept your body as it is.

And to do that, you’ll need to take a step back from everything society tells us about the body.

No, our body is not an object that we can modify at will to fit in with “standards”.

Do you realize that even photos of models are retouched? But it’s terrible when you think about it.

So take a step aside from all those images you’re shown all day long. They’re false images. Toxic images!

So come back to yourself, to your body. To everything it does for you, everything it allows you to experience, to feel.

Your body is magnificent just as it is. You are magnificent just as you are.

Finally, I’d like to conclude with one last thought: the world doesn’t need beautiful people. It needs kindness, gentleness and joy. In other words, it needs inner beauty.

So stop listening to society’s toxic babble and get back to what’s most beautiful in this world: beautiful feelings and emotions.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How to love yourself? 5 tips for loving yourself fully
Discover How do you learn to love yourself? 20 magic phrases for loving yourself

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

The Body Is Not an Apology (Workbook) by Sonya Renee Taylor

Taylor’s book encourages us to embrace self-love and acceptance by challenging society’s body image norms and expectations. She makes the case for radical self-acceptance and offers advice on how to foster a positive relationship with one’s body, promoting a more empowering and compassionate lifestyle.

I really liked the ideas proposed and hope to be able to implement them in my life. It’s a real gem, I’m delighted to have found it, it’s exactly what I needed to hear. I recommend it to all my friends.
I’ve also bought the accompanying workbook.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself