Bones and Bruises | Advice on Body Image

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you see your beauty or all of the faults?

More than 90 percent of girls – 15 to 17 years – want to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance. When I found this out, my jaw literally dropped. How can this happen?

This statistic made me realise how important it is to not just accept what you look like but love your body and embrace every part of it.

The reality is that all people come in all different shapes and sizes, therefore it is completely unrealistic to represent only one body type as beautiful.

Who cares what colour your hair is, how far apart your legs are and how tanned your skin is. We are all different, every one of us - that is what makes us unique and special. The world would be boring if everyone looked the same.

I have decided to put together some tips as to how to love the skin you're in:

• When you look in the mirror, notice all of the things you love about your body. It might be your eyes, your hair or maybe something that you can't see such as your brain. You could even try looking at yourself as though you were your loving and supportive friend.

• Remember that images portrayed in the media are digitally enhanced and airbrushed, meaning that wanting to look like the people depicted in these images is unrealistic and unattainable

• Think about the unique attributes that you have, which makes you unique and different to others

• Enjoy creating your own style. Wear things that are comfortable and make you feel good about yourself.

• Take care of your body by washing regularly and cleaning your teeth

• "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken." Celebrate being you and don't try and be someone else

• You are so much more than the way you look. Don't let what you look like rule you like. Do the things you enjoy and spend time with the people who you care about. After all, "those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter" - Dr Seuss

Don't let yourself or anyone else tell you anything but the truth. You are beautiful in your own way.

xx