Grammy-winning artist Maya has bravely shared her experiences with body image and the body positivity movement. Her social media is filled with videos emphasizing self-love and acceptance. In a recent Instagram post, Maya confidently stood in her underwear, facing the mirror, and expressed affectionate words to her belly. It’s a real-life demonstration of self-love that we should all aspire to emulate.
The video begins with Maya gently caressing her body while taking a deep breath. She lovingly jiggles her belly and says, “I cherish you so much. Thank you for keeping me joyful and alive.” She blows kisses to her belly and continues, “May I always listen to you. You deserve all the space to breathe and thrive. I love you.” She concludes the video with a kiss and a playful shimmy towards the camera.
It’s astonishing how many people felt compelled to criticize Maya for celebrating her “unhealthy” body. Most of those comments came from men. However, no one has the right to dictate how someone else should celebrate their body. Here’s why embracing self-love is essential in our daily lives.
Embracing Self-Love
How often do you stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself, “I love you”? Probably not very frequently. Society often conditions individuals to think that loving their own body is self-centered. Yet, it seems acceptable to criticize oneself for not conforming to societal beauty standards.
Consider how many times you’ve looked in the mirror and pointed out flaws. Or how often you’ve avoided mirrors entirely to escape seeing yourself. It’s far too normal to highlight everything we perceive as “wrong” with our bodies. But isn’t it time to believe that we should spend more moments appreciating ourselves rather than criticizing?
When was the last time you recognized what your body does rather than how it looks? Regardless of your size, simply being alive is a reason to celebrate your existence. Society has become so fixated on body image that we often overlook the more crucial aspect: our mere presence in the world.
Maya’s phrase, “May I always listen to you,” is vital. Our bodies communicate their needs, signaling when we are thirsty, hungry, tired, or stressed. Ignoring these signals can lead to a disconnect, making it difficult to understand our own needs. This detachment is detrimental to our well-being.
Furthermore, giving yourself the space to grow and adapt, both physically and mentally, is crucial. Our bodies naturally change throughout life as we grow and experience various life events. We deserve the opportunity to embrace this evolution.
You deserve to be treated with love, and the most important source of that love should come from yourself. It may not come easily, especially since we often are our own worst critics. Even Maya has expressed struggling with this.
In her video caption, Maya shares, “I started talking to my belly this year, showering it with love. I used to loathe my stomach, but it’s part of me. I’m learning to love every aspect of myself, even if it means daily affirmations. This is your sign to love yourself today!”
So take this as a nudge to look in the mirror and appreciate yourself. Create your own affirmation and repeat it daily.
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Summary
In a world where self-criticism is rampant, we can all learn from Maya’s example of self-love and acceptance. By embracing our bodies and recognizing their worth, we can cultivate a healthier relationship with ourselves. It’s time to replace negativity with love and appreciation, making self-affirmation a daily practice.