Day Three: What childhood messages do you still carry with you today?
The messages we receive in childhood become integrated into our sense of self and worldview, influencing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in subtle yet profound ways. When we recognize and understand these influences, we can then undergo growth and transformation, as it allows us to challenge and reshape outdated beliefs and patterns that no longer serve us.
What messages did you receive in your childhood that you still carry that are no longer of service to you?
Growing up in the ’90s and ’00s, the representation of women in the media was dominated by narrow standards of beauty, with an emphasis on being small and thin. Everywhere I looked, from magazines to television shows, the idealized image of femininity was portrayed as petite and slender. This pervasive messaging, coupled with my family dynamics, further reinforced the notion that being small was equated with beauty and desirability.
In my family, the women were small and petite, and I felt like a giant in comparison. From a young age, I internalized the belief that being small was not only aesthetically pleasing but also inherently feminine. I spent countless hours trying to shrink myself, both physically and emotionally, in an attempt to fit into this mold of femininity that seemed to elude me.
These childhood messages about beauty and femininity became deeply ingrained in my psyche, shaping my self-perception and influencing how I interacted with the world around me. Despite my efforts to conform to these narrow standards, I struggled to accept my own beauty because it didn’t align with the ideals perpetuated by the media and what I observed within my family.
Even now, as an adult, I find myself grappling with these ingrained beliefs and struggling to reconcile them with my own sense of self-worth. The messages I received in childhood continue to impact how I perceive myself and navigate the complexities of beauty standards in society.
Understanding the lasting impact of these childhood messages is essential for recognizing how they shape our beliefs and behaviors. For me, this has resulted in working toward greater self-acceptance as I work to challenge and redefine the standards of beauty imposed upon me. When I am aware of the influence of media representation and family dynamics, I can cultivate a more compassionate and inclusive understanding of beauty—one that celebrates diversity and embraces the inherent beauty within me, regardless of size or shape.
Always,
Your Trusted Friend 💀
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