Conquering Women's Self Image Issues
Ever since I was a young girl I've been constantly bombarded with comments about my weight. I've had friends, family and even complete strangers criticize, interrogate and accuse me of having an eating disorder. They would tell me I'm too skinny and ask me if I've been eating! I would always reply kindly that I'm genetically predisposed to being slender and that I love food and eat every chance I get. In fact I eat large portions of food! More than most people! I REALLY LOVE FOOD! But why do I have to explain this to ever Tom, Dick and Harry that comes my way? Half the time I wasn't sure if these people were really genuinely concerned about my health or just jealous that they weren't in shape themselves? Sadly, we live in a society that judges women quite harshly. It seems that no matter what... there is always a problem!
And if that's not bad enough, beside the countless negative attacks I've received about my weight over the years, I've also endured numerous insults regarding the size of my breasts... and these insults started as early as elementary school! Now, I consider myself to be a pretty attractive individual. If I've received so many negative comments about my weight and breast size throughout the years, I could only imagine how bad it could get for those of us who may not be so attractive. Regardless, society seems to condemn women for any reason they possibly can. And sadly, so many of us fall victim to society's bullshit.
Years ago I started dating a guy who thought I was too skinny. He was involved in fitness training and started me on a regimen of weight gaining shakes to help me gain some weight. I tried my best, but the shakes just didn't work out! If anything, they took away my appetite for real food which is just not healthy. Eventually this guy gave up trying to change me and accepted that I had a naturally slender physique. I told him all along that my parents were thin and that it was genetic, but he really thought I had an issue. The real issue is that most Americans are overweight, which makes me appear to be underweight, when in fact, I am perfectly normal!
There was also a time, quite a while back, when I wanted bigger breasts. Yes, all the comments about my small breast size had made an impact on me. In fact, I'll admit that I even took breast enlargement pills once. They didn't work! My breasts never grew! Not one inch! I also purchased special bra pads with water in them to increase my chest size. But then I got to thinking how ridiculous I would look if I started dating someone and they took my bra off only to find that half my breasts were gone with the bra! Ha!
When I moved out to LA to make it in show biz I told my mom that I may not be getting roles because of my small breast size. My mom, bless her heart, offered to buy me fake breasts! Oh mom! Really? I told her that I appreciated the offer, however my health was more important to me than my breast size. Do I really want to put poison in my chest just so my breasts can look bigger? ...and so I can get roles on tv? ...and make society happy? I think not!
Well, the beautiful thing about all of this is that I conquered society's bullshit. I got past all the negative comments about weight and small breast size that I had to endure for years...and I still love myself! In fact, I love myself even more now... and I've learned to appreciate my slender size and my small bosom. I've learned that I actually feel quite comfortable in my petite body and even more comfortable with small breasts. I can move fast in my small body and I don't have a ton of weight holding me down and putting stress on my joints and bones. Large breasts can cause all types of back pain. I already have back pain. Do I really want more of that? I do not have to wear uncomfortable bras! I can even exercise without a bra and my breasts never sag! What can be better than that? I've learned to appreciate who I am inside and out. And regardless of what people or society have to say about my appearance... I think I'm beautiful just the way I am and that's all that matters! Besides, I think one of the most beautiful features of any person, whether male or female, is confidence! And for some reason I've always had quite a bit of that!
So ladies, if you are suffering from self image issues or you're just tired of people criticizing your appearance, it's time to take a stand! We need to break the vicious cycle that this male dominated society has constructed for us! We must unchain ourselves from the mental slavery! Forget what all these haters have to say and learn to love yourself just the way you are! I guarantee you the grass is always greener on the other side!
Jennie Haiman is a Reiki Master Energy Healer, Co-Founder of Self Saviorz Society California Non-Profit 501(c)(3), Poet, Author and Entertainer with goals to help raise the vibration and consciousness of humanity!
