The speaker finds body image and self-love particularly challenging because it’s a personal struggle they’ve faced since childhood, exacerbated by social media and societal pressures. They admit to not having fully figured it out themselves, making it difficult to offer advice confidently.
The internet has made it harder to accept oneself due to constant exposure to idealized images of beauty. The speaker believes that technological advancements, including digital and physical body alterations, have intensified self-comparison and made self-acceptance more challenging than ever.
The speaker recommends reducing social media usage to break the cycle of comparison, focusing on personal value beyond physical appearance, and taking care of oneself physically and mentally. They emphasize that self-worth is not tied to looks but to being a good person and contributing positively to the world.
Instead of setting goals based on appearance, the speaker advises focusing on physical accomplishments like running a certain distance or completing a workout. This shift helps separate self-love from body image and reduces pressure on physical appearance.
The speaker compares self-love to success, noting that both are often misunderstood. They argue that self-love isn’t an overwhelming, euphoric feeling but rather subtle actions like self-forgiveness, acceptance of flaws, and recognizing strengths. Success, similarly, doesn’t bring the expected euphoria but is more about gradual achievements.
The speaker advises focusing on the benefits of being at a healthy weight, such as improved physical and mental health, rather than fixating on appearance. They encourage reminding oneself of the struggles faced when underweight and appreciating the current healthier state.
The speaker recommends starting with small, realistic goals to build confidence and motivation. They caution against setting overly ambitious goals that can lead to feelings of failure, suggesting that gradual progress is more sustainable and effective in the long term.
The speaker acknowledges that exercise can improve body image by fostering a sense of self-care and strength, but they also admit that part of their motivation is tied to appearance. They emphasize that exercise should be enjoyable and tailored to one’s fitness level to be sustainable.
[HOLIDAY RERUN] hello and welcome back to advice session, a series here on anything goes where you send in your current dilemmas or anything you want advice on and i give you my unprofessional advice. today's topic is body image and self love. out of all the topics i've ever discussed on advice session, this is my most challenging subject, personally.
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