BRIONA SAAS
Special to The Leader
How’s it going, fellow students? Excited for the upcoming holidays? Because I know I am!
I’m sure all of you have a very fun week planned and are looking forward to sharing some delicious treats with your loved ones and friends back at home! Some of you might be worried about overdoing it this holiday season; if you’re like me and live far away from home, maybe this is an opportunity that you just can’t miss!
Maybe you feel like you have to take advantage of as much yummy food as you can. Have no fear! Enjoy yourself and don’t think about it too much. Your body is your own, and you should decide your own standards for it.
Whether your standard is gaining weight, losing weight or remaining the same, continue on your path +regardless and don’t let anyone criticize it. Let others worry about their own body. Even if you do gain a few pounds during the holidays, no one should care — not even yourself.
We define our own beauty.
Our bodies are something we should definitely take care of, considering having our good health is what we will depend upon in the future. Still, we can at least make the holidays an exception and not beat ourselves up about it.
“Body image” is what we think of when we look in the mirror. What’s sad is that part of the reason we see anything other than beauty when we look at ourselves can be blamed on the media … and that is downright crazy! Letting strangers or celebrities make us feel like outcasts due to the size of our bodies is ridiculous.
We were born the way we are for a purpose, and we all don’t have the same purpose in life! We are all unique, and we should embrace and celebrate it — never criticize it.
The only opinion that should matter is your own. Another way to create positive body image for yourself is to be comfortable in your own skin. One of the most breathtaking and exhilarating feelings for me is being comfortable in my own skin. It’s powerful to be confident about knowing who you are; that will give you the feeling of being in control, not only over your body, but also over your life. I’m free to be me. and you’re free to be you.
The moment we lose sight of ourselves is the moment we are not living life for ourselves, but for others. So, be in control! It’s not easy to be comfortable in your own skin at all times, since there are a lot of pressures in today’s society forcing us to be some definition of “perfect.” This is repeated everywhere, but I will say it anyway because its true: NO ONE is perfect! Not the models in the magazines; not our teachers; not us.
A way to look at this is to embrace your flaws — let them make up your rare identity, or let them be another factor that makes you stand out from the rest of the crowd. This is the true meaning of feeling comfortable in your own skin.
So, let us indulge in food and love our bodies during the holidays. If we do that, we will be happy and, therefore, get the serenity we deserve. Holiday breaks are a time of relaxation and love; if we’re too busy worrying about our bodies, we won’t be taking advantage of our time off! So, let loose and have fun. Have a safe and memorable holiday season, everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!