When somebody sends you a naked photo, it can feel like a good idea to show it to your friends and often the welfare of the sender isn’t even considered. Please consider the rates of self-harm and plummeting levels of confidence that can happen as a result of having an intimate photo shared.
Think of why you’re friends with your best friend: is it how they look, or because they are kind/funny/loyal/clever? This is what people are valued for.
You can achieve body confidence by having a realistic and positive body image. You can read our previous messages on body image in our Body Image category.
Change the way you speak so you focus on “who” you are, not “what” you are – that helps others too. Focus on positives.
If you define yourself by what others think of you, you’ll never keep up. “Who I am” has to come from within.
Body confidence is a skill that you can learn like any other, through practice. It’s a mindset about accepting the body you’ve been given, and creating a positive, supportive mindset and attitude.
Finding it hard to talk about how you are really feeling? Samaritans is a safe place to turn; it’s anonymous and confidential: 08457 90 90 90 or jo@samaritans.org .
If someone compliments you, that doesn’t make you a better person. Your value remains unchanged, because it’s something that comes from within.
If you base your self-worth on how often people compliment and validate you, then you’re allowing others to decide how you feel about yourself.
You don’t need anyone’s approval. Just because someone isn’t happy with you doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. In many cases, it’s often that the person isn’t happy with themselves.