Every January we get overloaded with messaging telling us we’re ugly, fat and unworthy of love – but don’t fear – if you drink this detox tea, try this yoga class, buy this cooking book, you too can be the best version of yourself! Hurrah! And who are we to argue with the influx of sponsored Instagram posts, celebrity-endorsed beauty products and reality tv workout vids?
Women are inundated with unrealistic standards perpetuated by the media all year around, and we’ve become hardy to it; often able to shrug it off, or see through the bullshit. But, come January 1st, even the ‘wokest’ individuals can cave. I mean, last year I fucking downloaded My FitnessPal (pass the sick bucket).
The industry targets us at our lowest, most vulnerable time. After several weeks of drinking too much mulled wine, eating every mince pie in sight and being told repeatedly by your pervy uncle that you’ve got wide hips, our self-esteem is at an all-time low. We know our worth deep down, and that it has got shit all to do with the way we look, so why do we engage in such reductive conversations at this time of year?
“After several weeks of drinking too much mulled wine, eating every mince pie in sight and being told repeatedly by your pervy uncle that you’ve got wide hips, our self-esteem is at an all-time low.”
So, for 2018 let’s try a new kind of resolution. One where we accept ourselves as enough, just the way we are. Focus on self-development by loving yourself fearlessly, giving more time to your passions, and leaving toxicity in 2017. Rather than drinking a raspberry flavoured laxative that makes you shit yourself.
“Focus on self-development by loving yourself fearlessly, giving more time to your passions, and leaving toxicity in 2017. Rather than drinking a raspberry flavoured laxative that makes you shit yourself.”
SELF-REMINDERS TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH:
- Don’t Spur Each other On
Office chat will be full of “omg I look like a stuffed turkey” and “who wants to just drink lemon and ginger for 3 days and try to lose a stone?”. Do. Not. Engage.
- Step Away from Amazon Prime
Nope, you don’t need a cross-trainer or a running machine. Where will that fit? You live in a studio flat that’s actually just a converted cupboard.
- Remember Last Year?
How did last Jan go for you? Were you grumpy, miserable and more insecure than when you started your “New Year, New You” quest? That’s because protein balls are fucking rancid, and a world without wine isn’t a world worth living in.
- Press Unfollow
Same bloggers popping up on your feed every day trying to sell you a zero-calorie-gummy-sweet that’ll magically make your skin clear, your hair long and nails unbreakable? Hit the unfollow, hun.
- Don’t Beat Yourself Up
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get mentally, physically and spiritually healthier. But there is something wrong with thinking you must do it all in a month, or for vapid reasons like getting a “summer body”. Do it for you, no one else.
