A must see for everyone…
A few months ago, I went with a friend to see the documentary Embrace. Even before the screening started, my friend passed me her packet of tissues so I could have a few ready. Why we were so emotional even before the screening began?
I think every person has at some stage in their lives felt not good enough. Felt that they don’t fit the mould. Felt that if only they could change this or that, then they would be OK.
From our earliest days, everything we do is measured. We are compared to our friends, our peers our colleagues. Then we start to compare ourselves with those around us. They have what I want. If only I had that I would be happy – and for some people this can become a daily driving force and potential obsession. To look better, to be better, to do better than the person next to us. And for what?
We drive ourselves. We hide who we truly are, and we play the part we have been told to play. What does it give us?
For me a sense of freedom came from seeing this documentary. To see people be brave enough to be their authentic selves. To say to the world, this is who I am and if you don’t like it, that’s really your issue, not mine. I am perfect the way I am. I do not need to change my weight, facial features or breast size. I do not need to change anything.
Where did we get so lost in our society? Why do we value beauty above all else? Why do we accept the messages every day, in advertising and in media that tell us that we need to change ourselves in order to be accepted, to reach that elusive state of happiness? How can we not see that the power is in our hands?
Why do we still buy magazines which promote the unattainable body image? Why do we support an industry that is designed to crush our self-esteem in order to make higher profits?
So many questions, so few answers.
Teaching my girls that they are perfect as they are is the best thing I can do to fight back against the body shaming industry. Another way is to support Embrace, and we had a screening of the documentary in the studio last year. There are other ways to support the movement on their website: https://bodyimagemovement.com/takeaction/
