Dear Body, You Were Never a Problem

 Let's get real for a second about something that touches pretty much all of us: how we see our own bodies. It's tough out there. You're scrolling through feeds full of perfectly posed pics, seeing "ideal" bodies everywhere from ads to movies, and it can start to feel like your own body just doesn't measure up.

If you’ve ever felt that pit in your stomach when you look in the mirror, or changed your outfit a million times because nothing felt right, you’re not alone. That's a super common, but super heavy, feeling we call "body image issues," and it's something way too many teens are dealing with.

So, let’s chat about it.

Why does it feel so hard right now?

A huge part of this feeling comes from the world around us. We live in a society that often tells us there’s only one type of beautiful, one "right" shape or size. The media, social apps, even casual comments from people can subtly (or not so subtly) reinforce these ideas.

It's important to remember that most of the images you see online are filtered, posed, or edited. They aren't reality. Comparing your real, 3D, living body to a flattened, edited image is like comparing apples to unicorns – they're just not the same thing.

Ditching the "Comparison Game"

The hardest habit to break is comparing yourself to others. Comparison is a thief – it steals your joy, your confidence, and your peace of mind.

Instead of focusing on what someone else has, try shifting your focus. Your body is amazing for what it does, not just what it looks like. It lets you run, laugh, dance, hug your friends, think, learn, and grow. It's your home base, and it deserves respect.

Real Talk: What Helps?

Changing how you feel about your body is a journey, not a quick fix. Here are a few small things that might make a big difference:

• Curate Your Feed: If accounts on Instagram or TikTok make you feel bad about yourself, unfollow them. Seriously, mute or block them. Fill your feeds with people who are diverse, real, and who uplift you.
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• Focus on the Feel-Goods: Do activities that make your body feel good, whether it's a sport you love, dancing in your room, or just going for a walk. Move for joy, not for "fixing" anything.

• Talk About It: Don't keep these feelings bottled up. Talk to a trusted friend, parent, school counselor, or an adult you feel safe with. Odds are, they've felt similar things, and just getting it out can help.
• Be Your Own Bestie: You would never talk to your best friend the way you talk to yourself in your head when you're feeling down. Start being kind to yourself. Challenge those negative thoughts as they pop up.
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You Are More Than Your Body

The shape of your stomach, the size of your jeans, or a number on a scale, these things have zero impact on who you are as a person. You are made of so much more: your kindness, your smarts, your humor, your passions, your dreams.

You deserve to take up space in this world, just as you are, right now. Your body is a good body. End of story.

Stay strong, be kind to yourself, and remember you're not in this alone. We got this.