Understanding Body Shame
How body shame is created, maintained, and resisted
Many people believe body image is simply about appearance but the problem isn't that you care about how you look. Most of us do. The problem is when the pursuit of looking a certain way begins to consume your life. It can feel like there's one part of you that's constantly chasing approval, a flatter stomach, smoother legs, or the next improvement, while another part knows the finish line never arrives. You may recognize these standards as painful and unrealistic, yet still find yourself unable to step off the "never good enough" treadmill.
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Body shame often develops through years of exposure to cultural messages about appearance, worth, belonging, desirability, and value. These messages can become so familiar that they feel true.
The infographic below explores how body shame is created, who benefits from it, and how self-compassion can help us reconnect with our inherent worth.
A Compassionate Approach to Body Image
If you're looking for self esteem or body image counselling in North Vancouver or online throughout British Columbia, I invite you to head over to my contact page or book a free consultation to see if we're a good fit
The goal isn't to stop caring about your appearance. The goal is to stop believing your worth depends on it.