Here are some empowering body dysmorphia and body image quotes. Struggling with your body image is something everyone goes through at some point in their lives. According to research published by the National Institute Of Health, about 20-40% of women struggle with some form of dissatisfaction with their bodies. At the same time, 10-30% of men report to have similar struggles.
The extent of these body image issues can vary for each individual. While some may experience a mild struggle with their physical appearance, others may have a more extreme problem known as body dysmorphia.
What Is Body Dysmorphia?
Body dysmorphia is a recognized psychological condition where you can’t stop obsessing over one or more “flaws” in your appearance or body parts. While these “flaws” might be minor or negligible for others, they are the center of your attention every time you look in the mirror.
This obsession might be so severe for some people that they try everything to change or alter this perceived defect in their appearance. Some people avoid social interaction out of embarrassment or anxiety about people judging them.
Body image dysmorphia is often a misunderstood form of mental health issue. We might not realize it, but it can profoundly impact young people. The rampant use of social media has led people to believe that anyone who doesn’t abide by a set standard of beauty isn’t perfect.
This condition, as described by Gabourey Sidibe and brought into the public eye by high-profile actresses like Lindsay Sloane, calls for reevaluating the most important rule of beauty – physical attributes don’t define one’s value as a human being.
This awareness has led to a movement known as “body positivity.” This movement is aimed to promote acceptance of all forms of body types, skin colors, etc, endorsing the idea that one is perfectly beautiful just the way they are.
In the realm of body positivity, figures like Emma Stone and Tina Fey have taken to talking about these issues publicly. Emma Stone once mentioned, “You’re not going to be perfect, so stop trying to be because it’s not possible.”
Amidst this conversation, previous child actresses and popstars, Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez, have been vocal about their own experiences. They have used their voices to advocate for self-esteem and to promote the idea that you’re worth more than your perceived defects.
Such personalities and their words serve as a guiding light for those struggling with low self-esteem. They serve as a reminder that even people whom we perceive as “perfect” sometimes struggle with their bodies.
So, whatever standards we’re forcing ourselves to fall into won’t change how we perceive ourselves until we make a conscious effort for it. Unless we start to convince ourselves that we’re beautiful people just how we are, no matter what we do, we won’t ever be enough.
25 Empowering Quotes to Help Overcome Body Dysmorphia: Encouraging Self-Acceptance and Confidence
The main problem with body dysmorphia isn’t the defect or flaw itself but how we perceive it. It’s all about our mind convincing us that we won’t be perfect until we alter this particular feature about ourselves.
This is why when you’re dealing with this general dissatisfaction with your body, real change begins at a thought process level. It is encouraged that you seek out support groups, therapy, and other forms of help that work for you. The online support group for Body Dysmorphia (BDD), run by the Body Dysmorphia Foundation, offers online meetings and many support materials.
"Support groups provide a safe environment where you can talk openly about your BDD, as well as giving support and encouragement to others." -Body Dysmorphia Foundation.
While you’re on your journey to healing, words of affirmation can make all the difference in your motivation. Here are some quotes on body positivity that you can save as your desktop wallpaper or phone background or print them and hang them in a place you can see daily.
- “Your body is not a representation of your worth.” – Unknown
- “You are not defined by the way you see yourself in the mirror.” – Unknown
- “Embrace the beauty within; it’s far more captivating than the image you see in the mirror.” – Unknown
- “The way you see yourself is not the way others see you. Your beauty is in the eyes of those who cherish your essence.” – Unknown
- “It’s not about the size you wear but the way you wear your size.” – Padma Lakshmi
- “Your uniqueness is what makes you beautiful, not the ideals society imposes.” – Unknown
- “If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies and eaten alive.” – Audre Lorde
- “Your value doesn’t come from your appearance but from the light you shine onto others.” – Unknown
- “The most radiant beauty is found in confidence and self-acceptance.” – Unknown
- “How much time have I wasted on diets and what I look like? Take your time and your talent and figure out what you have to contribute to this world.” – Meryl Streep
- “The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.” – Blake Lively
- “Your worth is not determined by your appearance; it’s defined by your character and the love you spread.” – Unknown
- “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise Hay
- “Your body is your vessel, but your spirit is your essence. Let your spirit shine brighter than any physical flaw.” – Unknown
- “What you look like on the outside is not what makes you cool at all. I mean, I had a mullet and I wore parachute pants for a long, long time, and I’m doin’ okay.” – Ellen DeGeneres
- “Your self-worth is not tied to your appearance; it’s tied to your inherent value as a person.” – Unknown
- “Beauty is about being comfortable in your skin. It’s about knowing and accepting who you are.” – Ellen DeGeneres
- “Your beauty is not defined by your reflection but by the love and compassion you share with the world.” – Unknown
- “You have to stand up and say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with me or my shape or who I am; you’re the one with the problem!'” – Jennifer Lopez
- “I’m learning, and I’m growing. I’m starting to understand that it’s important to take care of myself and put yourself first.” – Selena Gomez
- “Flaws are my favorite part of people, usually.” – Emma Stone
- “You are beautiful, and you’re worth more than harming yourself.” – Demi Lovato
- “I have body issues, but everybody does. When you come to the realization that everybody does that– even the people I consider flawless– you can start to live with the way you are.” — Taylor Swift
- “I have a belly + I have cellulite + I am still deserving of love.” — Amy Schumer
- “I don’t have perfect teeth. I’m not stick thin. I want to be the person who feels great in her body + can say that she loves it + doesn’t want to change anything.” — Emma Watson
Meryl Streep, an actress considered perfect, once addressed body dissatisfaction, stating, “Don’t waste so much time thinking about how much you weigh. There is no more mind-numbing, boring, idiotic, self-destructive diversion from the fun of living.” Her words highlight the need to focus on how we are as a person and what our talents are.
Margaret Atwood once spoke on the topic with great zeal. She talked about how inner beauty is a better representation of beauty – not the perfect eyes or long legs that society often defines as beauty standards, but the individual essence that makes a person a piece of the universe.
Understanding The Extent Of The Problem
Body dysmorphic disorder is a really serious issue that affects many, including high-profile personalities like Lady Gaga and Serena Williams. This calls for us, the mass audience, to address the symptoms of BDD and promote a healthy body.
We need to be okay with the idea that people should be healthy and happy rather than conforming to whatever the latest standard of beauty is. We must endorse that a healthy woman or man is better than someone with great skin, big pecs, perfect eyes, or long legs.
Taking inspiration from these influential figures and their words, we need to embrace the body positivity movement and cultivate a healthier relationship with our bodies.
As Portia de Rossi (Actress and Ellen DeGeneres’s wife) expressed, “Your body is your personality-delivery system, designed expressly to carry your character from place to place, now and in the years to come.” This helps us dissociate from the idea that our body exists to satisfy others. Instead, it is a work of art that carries the multitude of ideas, talents, and emotions we carry within.
Spreading These Pearls Of Wisdom
Several websites offer high-quality images with inspiring quotes that can serve as desktop backgrounds or for sharing on social media, spreading a good message that true beauty lies in our uniqueness, not in conforming to society’s standards.
In conclusion, the journey towards self-acceptance begins with fostering a healthier view of oneself. These quotes by influential personalities underscore the importance of embracing one’s uniqueness, promoting mental health, and nurturing a positive self-image. At the end of the day, how you view yourself and your worth goes beyond what anyone else thinks of you.