{"id":6450,"date":"2018-10-09T09:00:41","date_gmt":"2018-10-09T09:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hannahgladwin.com\/?p=6450"},"modified":"2018-10-09T21:54:52","modified_gmt":"2018-10-09T21:54:52","slug":"body-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/body-confidence\/","title":{"rendered":"Body confidence: what if you\u2019re not ‘body positive’ about yourself?"},"content":{"rendered":"

*In collaboration with\u00a0UK Swimwear<\/a>.<\/p>\n

📍Arenal d’en Castell, Menorca.<\/p>\n

In an online world full of contradictions, do you feel conflicted about your body image?<\/h1>\n

This post is about how a simple bikini photo shoot (pics courtesy of Dan<\/a> – thanks) led me to feel more confident and ask myself if I should feel guilty for not always being happy with my body.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you go on a week-long beach holiday do you take enough bikinis for a month or is that just me? I love the sea and swimming (and apparently bikinis) so when UK Swimwear<\/a> reached out to me about collaborating I said yes straight away. You\u2019ll find designer swimwear to suit all different needs and styles<\/a> – for me I loved every single item by Watercult (their stuff is beautiful!)<\/p>\n

But then, I realised for this blogpost that I would have to photograph myself in a bikini and put it up for everyone to see and I wondered if I wanted to do that… It\u2019s weird because I post photos of myself wearing outfits, so why should this be any different? I\u2019ve been struggling with my body confidence so now, so I was worried about putting photos of me semi-naked on my blog\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Hannah<\/p>\n

Wearing Watercult Bandeau bikini<\/a>*<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, originally I was going to write a holiday checklist (I always need to do this before every trip, so I\u2019ll still publish that) but now have these bikini photos ready to post, I thought that talking about body confidence in this post would be more fitting.<\/p>\n

At the end of this blog post, I have three points for you to take away that I hope helps if you ever feel bad about yourself… or feel bad for feeling bad about yourself.<\/h4>\n

Conflict of feelings<\/h2>\n

I feel ashamed to say that I\u2019m not happy with how my body is at the moment.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Whatever body shape or size you are, unfortunately, you\u2019re not immune to feeling body-conscious. We\u2019ve come a long way in the representation of women\u2019s bodies but there is a lot of damage to undo. We\u2019ve seen the supposed \u2018perfect body type\u2019 presented by the media and advertising for so long now that social media and society has created an ingrained pressure for women to look a certain way.<\/p>\n

But now, there are conflicting messages in the media too – \u201cyou should be proud of your body whatever it looks like!\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t conform to the patriarchy\u2019s ideals of beauty!\u201d \u201cBe confident\u201d and other slightly aggressive demands amongst all sorts of inspirational quotes. We still see \u2018perfect\u2019 images of Victoria Secret models everywhere in magazines but we\u2019re now being told we should always be positive about our own bodies.<\/p>\n80% of people have stretch marks and 90% of women and 10% of men have cellulite. That\u2019s 90%! How can that be something we are embarrassed by when literally almost every woman has them? <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span>\n

\"Hannah<\/p>\n

It\u2019s kind of confusing.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s making me feel guilty that I\u2019m not always \u2018body positive\u2019. On the other hand, I don\u2019t feel like I can use the expression \u2018body positive\u2019 because I don\u2019t want to appropriate a message that\u2019s been created for plus-size women. I\u2019m just an average size with the average concerns\u2026 I’ll obssess over so many things wrong with my body, \u00a0yet I would never think so harshly about other people..<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just me or you that feels this. Here are some quotes from other people that we can probably relate to:<\/p>\n

\u201cI obsess about my weight constantly, and I really hate myself for it, especially for being such a hypocrite. I preach self-love all the time to my friends and can\u2019t seem to find any for myself.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From article: \u2018’I feel guilty but I hate my body’: a feminist confesses\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re one of the girls who still feels inferior no matter how many body-positivity articles you read, you\u2019re not alone.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From article: \u2018I hate my body and think I always will\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Everyone has scars and ‘imperfections’<\/h2>\n

I am able-bodied, thanks to a surgery I had when I was two. If it weren\u2019t for the NHS and a fantastic surgeon, it\u2019s possible that I wouldn\u2019t be able to walk properly. So, why am I putting my body down when it has managed to go through so much with me?<\/p>\n

Ever since then, I\u2019ve had a large scar on my right leg and hip and one going through my stomach across the pelvis. Yet I\u2019ve never been ashamed or embarrassed by the scars. I never mind telling people where they came from when they see it and ask. I\u2019m actually proud of them – my war wounds \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

\"Hannah

(I used to do synchronised swimming but I’m rusty so don’t judge my technique!)<\/strong><\/center><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

However, when it comes to my cellulite, my stretch marks, and my lumpiness it fills me with disgust. But it\u2019s totally normal and natural for anyone to have these. In fact, 80% of people have stretch marks and 90% of women and 10% of men have cellulite. That\u2019s 90%! How can that be something we are embarrassed by when literally almost\u00a0every woman<\/em> has them?<\/p>\n

I feel ashamed to say that I\u2019m not happy with how my body is at the moment. I know that’s because there’s more to life than our bodies and, to other people, there may look like there’s anything ‘wrong’ with my body. And there isn’t – so that’s why I feel bad sharing my insecurities.<\/p>\n

I shared an Instagram post<\/a> a few weeks ago saying I felt uncomfortable in my own skin and everyone was so kind; a lot of you were saying that I had nothing to be worried about. There\u2019s nothing wrong with how my body is but right now I feel that this isn\u2019t my body.<\/em><\/p>\n

That probably makes no sense.<\/p>\n

I’ll explain…<\/p>\n

\"Hannah<\/p>\n

It’s more of a psychological issue than a physical issue.<\/h2>\n

Never before have I had any issues or worries about how my body looked. I did a lot of exercise and managed to maintain the same weight for years. That was until I took some medications a few years ago which had the side effects of weight gain. Ever since I took those, they changed how I felt about myself; now I\u2019m focused on so many \u2018flaws\u2019 I never had or noticed before. I\u2019ve been struggling to get back to where I was – the \u2018old me\u2019 who didn\u2019t worry about that.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that I think my body shape or size is not nice and I don\u2019t want to write anything that would make someone else upset or self-conscious. But, I don\u2019t feel like my body suits me. I feel uncomfortable having a bit of chub I didn\u2019t have before. I look at my old photos and that is a happy person who didn\u2019t worry.
\nSo, I suppose my problem is not how I think I look but how it makes me feel.<\/p>\n

The body I have now<\/em> is one that hasn’t healed itself yet. My scars from my operation have healed. But, the lumps, the extra cushioning around my cheeks and waist are scars that haven’t healed yet… because they are reminders of a mentally tough period in my life which I’m not over yet. When I’m out the other side I’ll either have lost these parts I don’t like\u00a0or<\/em> I’ll be happy enough to accept them.<\/p>\n

But that’s why I’m not joining in with the movement of shouting from the rooftops that I have flaws and I’m proud of them. Does that make any sense?<\/p>\n

\"Hannah<\/p>\n

That\u2019s one of the reasons I like fashion. It makes me feel better.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may look at my photos and think I have nothing to worry about\u2026 And I know that I shouldn\u2019t worry, which where this guilt comes from. You may also say, well if you\u2019re not confident why are you posting these photos?<\/p>\n

To that I say, well, it was a lot of fun taking these and I felt more confident as we went on. I feel happy with how these came out. They have happy memories behind them. My boyfriend and I were on holiday together, having a laugh playing around taking these photos and I felt good wearing this bikini<\/a>*. Also, it helped that I knew that no one on the beach knew me that day so I didn’t worry about looking silly.<\/p>\n

\"Sun

I wish you could see behind-the-scenes of this photo… I’m demanding that Dan ‘get lower down’, ‘no, lower so the sun is behind my face’ … Him: ‘No I don’t want to get all sandy; I’ll have to go and wash it off in the sea again!’ ‘I can’t see you, it’s so bright!’<\/strong><\/center><\/p><\/div>\n

<\/center>
<\/center>And trust me, these photos aren\u2019t all realistic themselves – I\u2019ve put up the best photos of the bunch and we took a lot of photos… and a lot didn\u2019t make the cut. In these I\u2019m stretching out, facing my back to the camera, and trying to angle myself so the lumps and rolls don\u2019t stick out. Same as what models do on photoshoots and everyone does on Instagram. Just take Iskra Lawrence\u2019s example<\/a> that we can all hide certain things when we pose a certain way.<\/p>\n

So, the last thing I’d want is for anyone to compare my images to themselves and feel bad. These are just some photos that I think turned out well.<\/p>\n

What you wear makes a difference<\/h2>\n

Putting on this bikini, I could tell it was of a much higher quality than the bikinis I normally wear\u2026 As soon as I put it on I felt really good in it; it fits well and the bikini top gives the support of bra. (A good supportive bikini top is necessary when swimming – trust me! I\u2019ve had a few rogue floating bikini tops after diving into the pool before!). I love the embroidery and the elastic on the bottom is supported with Petersham so I’m sure these will last for quite a few holidays to come.<\/p>\n

\"Close

Look at the little gold pineapple charms!!!<\/center><\/p><\/div>\n

What you wear really can dictate how you\u2019re feeling about your body and image. When I\u2019m dressed in something I love, I feel confident and am therefore happier with how I look. When I\u2019m in panic-mode and having \u2018nothing to wear\u2019 (we all know that\u2019s not true, but we\u2019ve all been there) and I chuck on something I\u2019m not quite feeling, then I know I\u2019m not going to be thinking positively towards my body. I\u2019m fairly sure that I\u2019m not alone in this.<\/p>\n

So, if you\u2019re going to a pool or a beach, my advice is to find a swimsuit that fits you really well in the style and design you really like. It\u2019ll make all the difference to your confidence.<\/p>\n

And if you want to do what I did, try taking some photos and you might end up with ones that you think you look banging in.<\/p>\n

\"Hannah<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What\u2019s the conclusion to this then?<\/h2>\n

I have three things that I\u2019ve realised:<\/p>\n

1. You\u2019re not alone if you feel guilty for not always liking your body.<\/h3>\n

In today\u2019s world of social media, it\u2019s hard not to escape the paradox of \u2018this is how to improve yourself!\u2019 and \u2018be fine with how you are!\u2019. We can\u2019t blame ourselves for having mixed feelings about our image.<\/p>\n

2. Don\u2019t compare yourself to images online<\/h3>\n

Although almost it\u2019s unavoidable seeing these images everywhere and it\u2019s become an unconscious thing to do – comparing ourselves is not healthy for our esteem. When you catch yourself with these thoughts make a conscious point to tell yourself that a photo online doesn\u2019t always tell the full story.<\/p>\n

3. Make a small step towards body confidence and dress up in something that makes you feel good<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m not meaning that you should \u2018dress nicer\u2019 and I\u2019m not insinuating you need a magic makeover, not at all. This isn\u2019t just surface-deep. On a psychological level, you can boost your self-esteem if you\u2019re happy (or happier) with how you see yourself on the outside.<\/p>\n

Now go out and treat yourself! It\u2019s the perfect excuse \ud83d\ude09<\/h4>\n

Have you ever felt bad for feeling bad or are you always confident no matter what? Honestly, I\u2019d love to hear different points of view on this. Leave me a comment and maybe we can start a discussion.<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

*This bikini was gifted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

*In collaboration with\u00a0UK Swimwear<\/a>.<\/p>\n

📍Arenal d’en Castell, Menorca.<\/p>\n

In an online world full of contradictions, do you feel conflicted about your body image?<\/p>\n

This post is about how a simple bikini photo shoot (pics courtesy of Dan<\/a> – thanks) led me to feel more …<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6458,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2,163,25,255],"tags":[244,258,240,256,78,241,40,253,229,254,18,257],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6450"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6450"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6450\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6490,"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6450\/revisions\/6490"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hannahgladwin.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}