Bald spots. Hair loss. For women, especially, it can feel like a devastating blow to self-image. For years, I tried to hide my thinning patches, strategically styling my hair, using volumizing products, and feeling increasingly anxious about every strand that fell out. Then, I decided to stop hiding and start…owning it. It wasn’t a sudden, … Read more
“Chubby cheeks.” Baby-faced, chipmunk cheeks, whatever you call them, they can be a source of self-consciousness, especially as you get older. For years, I felt like mine made me look “childish,” “unprofessional,” “not-quite-grown-up.” I tried contouring, angled my selfies strategically, and secretly wished for sharper cheekbones. Then, I realized something. People actually…liked my chubby cheeks. … Read more
Body doubts. They creep in during workouts, in front of mirrors, in yoga studios surrounded by bendy bodies. For years, my yoga practice was often tinged with self-criticism. Comparing my poses to others, focusing on what I couldn’t do, feeling inadequate and inflexible. Then, I discovered a yoga pose that shifted my perspective. Child’s Pose. … Read more
Sucking in your stomach for photos. The universal pose of body insecurity. For years, it was my default setting in front of a camera. Engage core, hold breath, look uncomfortable, repeat. It was exhausting, unnatural, and ultimately, pointless. Then, I decided to try something radical: stop sucking in. The first few photos felt…weird. My stomach, … Read more
Freckles. Childhood sunshine kisses, or teenage skin blemishes? For years, I saw mine as the latter. Annoying splatters of pigment that made my skin look “uneven” and “imperfect.” I tried to cover them with makeup, wished they would magically disappear, and generally considered them a flaw. Then, something shifted. Freckles started to become…trendy. Suddenly, models … Read more
Height insecurity. Whether you’re “too tall” or “too short,” feeling like you don’t fit the societal ideal can be surprisingly impactful. For years, I felt self-conscious about being “too short.” Always the shortest in photos, often overlooked in crowds, constantly feeling like I was looking up at the world. Then, a chance encounter with a … Read more
“Flat chest.” In a society often obsessed with curves, it can feel like a deficit. For years, I felt self-conscious about my smaller bust, comparing myself to images of amplified cleavage and feeling like I was somehow “less feminine.” Then, I decided to rewrite the narrative. To stop seeing my flat chest as a lack … Read more
Forehead fears. “Too big,” “too small,” “too…forehead-y.” For some reason, foreheads can become focal points of insecurity. For years, mine was. I hid it under bangs, strategically styled my hair to minimize its perceived size, and generally avoided hairstyles that might “accentuate” it. Then, I got a haircut that completely changed my perspective. It wasn’t … Read more
“Big ears.” The childhood taunt that can echo into adulthood. For years, I tucked my hair strategically, wore hats whenever possible, and generally tried to minimize the perceived prominence of my ears. They were my “flaw,” my source of self-consciousness, something to be hidden, not highlighted. Then, I had a haircut that changed everything. It … Read more
Unshaved legs in a swimsuit. For some, no big deal. For me, for years, unthinkable. Smooth legs were practically a prerequisite for swimsuit confidence. The razor was my loyal summer companion, banishing any hint of leg hair before beach days or pool parties. Then, one day, laziness (or maybe rebellion?) kicked in. I skipped shaving. … Read more