“You’re beautiful on the inside.”
How many times have you heard that phrase? For me, that one belongs at the top of the most condescending things ever said. Why? Because it implies that you’re not physically beautiful according to the social order, and that the person saying this is trying to compensate your attributes with those words. I mean, you can definitely be beautiful on the inside, and for me, that’s actually one of the best compliments someone can tell you. But still, somehow in our minds, we feel the urge to also be accepted by our looks. And that, my friends, is universal. This is not exclusive to humans either. Animals also follow beauty standards as their means to mate. So I guess, in some way, that search for perfection only responds to our most savage and wild instincts.
@tatianatatuadora
@curtmontgomerytattoos
Basically, what I’m about to say is something we all know. It’s part of that general knowledge we grow up with and take as the ultimate truth, so don’t boo me. Regardless of how strong or careless we might appear, we all openly or secretly aim to fulfill those standards. And when this is not possible, it can become a real issue. The problem is that sometimes we think that by achieving those looks we’ll be able to validate ourselves as people, instead of learning to love ourselves for who we are. I know, this is also one of the greatest clichés, but it’s also true. Naturally, this is easier said than done, which can be really problematic.
@pokeeeeeeeoh
@lmariera
If you’re quite aware of what’s happening with the world of the Internet, you might have seen that in recent times many have joined the self-love cause, best known as Body Positivity. This movement intends to make people aware that none of us needs to follow or achieve beauty standards to be beautiful. And this isn’t only a matter of “love who you are on the inside” but to appreciate those physical traits that make you unique.
@espirro_
@noiatattoing
We have all dealt with body shaming and insecurity at one point in our lives. Let me tell you a story. I’ve never been what people would call an obvious beauty. I’m quite far (but not that much, I’d love to think) from being slim. I don’t have flawless skin. And one of my greatest insecurities, until I was about 21, was the shape of my nose. Since I was five, I had to pay frequent visits to the ENT specialist for functional issues with my nose and my ears. Since those days, my doctor told me that I needed a nose surgery to correct my problem and that he could also fix the aesthetic part. So, I grew up happy and anxious to turn 21 to get that problem fixed. When the time came, we discussed what kind of nose I wanted, according to my physiognomy and the functional aspects, and it was all settled. But just when they were taking me to the preparation room, I changed my mind. That nose, big and squared, represented who I was. It gave me personality and I wasn’t willing to lose that.
@loiseautattoo
@tattman1111
I’m telling you this because at that moment, and until the Body Positive Movement began, I thought I had overcome my main insecurities and learned to love those flaws that tormented me for ages. I say I believed this until the movement began because, when it all started, somehow I started noticing other flaws I didn’t really know I had, or that I actually hadn’t thought about for years. Still, it was kind of encouraging to see how other people used it to increase their self-esteem and love themselves.
@dorcaborca
@fox.feet
I still have issues with all these new ideas regarding body image. I applaud the essence behind them, especially being one of the millions of people who grew up comparing themselves to others. But, at the same time, I think these might be unleashing some other ideas that I don’t necessarily agree with. One of those things is the opposite effect it’s having in many, who now despise other bodies, other faces, that actually fit more with our society’s body standards.
@carrie_metz_caporusso
@samsquanch
That’s why I’ve selected the tattoos you’ve been seeing, having in mind that all bodies can be beautiful. Body Positivity is inclusive, as it involves all types of bodies, those we’ve learned to consider perfect and those that are different. Wanting to have a body similar to those depicted on films or television isn’t wrong, as long as you achieve it in a healthy way and love yourself in the process. It’s also fine to accept yourself just the way you are if you’re leading a healthy life. These tattoos can work as an inspiration to love the human body in its many versions it may come. Because, at the end of the day, that’s the beauty of our existence: diversity.
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