So, do we all have body dysmorphia?
A Hidden Struggle. You might not know it, but when I was younger, I wore a size 18-20.
Success doesn’t follow a set timeline, and sometimes the path to finding your true purpose takes longer than expected. At 30, I stepped away from the corporate world and leapt into entrepreneurship. I’ve been running my aesthetic business for six years now and I’m finally ready to share my life and business lessons.
You might not know it, but when I was younger, I wore a size 18-20. I made every effort to get to the size I am now, yet even today, I still don’t consider myself slim.
I walk 10,000 steps daily and weigh myself religiously, hoping not to revert to my old size. I tell myself it’s not body dysmorphia, just a fear of going back to who I was, but honestly, I’m not entirely sure.
What I do know is that body dysmorphia affects more people than we might realise. In the UK, around 1.5% of the adult population, approximately 840,000 people, live with this. Although people often compliment my discipline, my motivation stems from a deeper fear of weight gain, a struggle shared by many.
But what exactly is body dysmorphia? Clinically referred to as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), it’s a mental health condition where individuals become fixated on perceived flaws in their appearance.
The term “mental health condition” can be intimidating, and some may feel uncomfortable claiming it, perhaps due to cultural or religious beliefs. Yet, the truth is, accepting the reality of body dysmorphia is the first step toward understanding and eventually accepting ourselves.
Living with body dysmorphia can be exhausting, as it creates a cycle of self-criticism that’s hard to escape. But why is this issue so widespread?
Many people struggling with low self-esteem or unattainable beauty standards begin to focus obsessively on “imperfections,” often developing compulsive behaviours around these insecurities.
In Western society, narrow standards of beauty frequently dictate self-worth, reinforcing ideals around skin tone, body shape, and facial features that can leave individuals feeling inadequate.
Discrimination based on looks, such as colourism or the mockery of distinctive features, can deepen these feelings. For those vulnerable to body dysmorphia, these pressures drive an even greater fixation on appearance.
The reality is that beauty standards go well beyond the surface. They influence mental health, shaping not only how people perceive themselves but also how they believe society values them. For those living with body dysmorphia, the impact can be profound, fueling a harmful cycle that affects both mental and physical well-being.
Addressing body dysmorphia requires us to recognise that self-worth should never be measured by appearance alone. This struggle is more common than many think, and perhaps by acknowledging it, we can move towards a more compassionate understanding of ourselves and others.
That’s it for this week.
TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS:
Song of the week - look what you did - lotto ft Mariah the scientist.
Watch of the week - Kemba - available on Amazon prime.
Buy of the week - Jo Malone London Roasted Chestnut Home Candle 200g (I’m all about warm and cozy smells this time of year and this one givesss)
Food - ( Milk Chocolate Cocoa-Dusted Almonds (325g) I hurt my ankle recently BUT I was gifted a get well soon food hamper by a special someone and I’ve been hooked on these ever since!
Quote: “Everything you can imagine is real.” Who said it? Pablo Picasso, Spanish painter. What it means: Our thoughts and ideas can have a big effect on the reality that we experience every day.
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