October 2022

💚 Body Positivity Series: 🍃 Men and Body Image Issues 🙌🏽

Often, men are expected by society to suppress their emotions, to be tough and not show any feelings but, of course, we are all humans and definitely do have emotions.

This week, our Body Positivity Series will be focusing on the male experience. Often, men are expected by society to suppress their emotions, to be tough and not show any feelings. However, this is impossible. We are all humans and we have emotions. We go through ups and downs and by expecting our male population to constantly suppress their emotions and be “perfect” all the time, we are perpetuating unrealistic and incredibly damaging ideas.

Statistics show that nearly three in ten adult men (28%) aged 18 and above have felt anxious due to issues with body image.¹

Accepting our bodies and having a healthy mentality about our looks is something that both men and women should aim for. So, here are a few stories from men that want to speak up about body positivity and raise awareness of men’s mental health and wellbeing.

Pierre:

“As long as I’m happy with myself, that’s what matters the most.” - PIERRE

I’d say that I can be insecure about my birthmark because it is quite noticeable as it is on my face, so I always feel like people are looking or making fun of it, which would stop me from interacting with others a lot of the time.

I feel like I was able to overcome this by not paying attention to what people think of me. As long as I’m happy with myself, that’s what matters the most. By doing this, it made me more confident in life overall.

Anonymous:

“You’ll only have one body, learn to cherish it.” - ANONYMOUS

My main insecurity was that I couldn’t gain any weight. No matter how much I ate and how much I pushed myself, I always seemed to lose it eventually. I hated how skinny I was. I hated seeing my ribs all the time.

In the end, I worked out even harder, ate better and told myself that I’ve got to work with what I have. I know there can always be better, but if I can’t appreciate what my body is like now, how am I meant to work towards the body I deisre?

What I learnt was that it’s equally a mental battle as it is a physical one. You’ll only have one body, learn to cherish it.

Shehzaad:

“Time made me discover real friends who became family – and the ones who really love you, appreciate and accept who you are, without any conditions.”SHEHZAAD

I was probably insecure about different parts of my body at different times of my life, because I wanted to fit in with everyone. I thought that being liked by everyone was the way to go. Trying to look a certain way so that everyone would appreciate me for what their idea of being awesome is.

I realized that to please everyone is to please just anyone! That only my opinion of myself mattered. That insecurities only come from trying to win the approval of the people who surround me. Time made me discover real friends who became family – and the ones who really love you, appreciate and accept who you are, without any conditions.

What is your story? Do you have someone that inspires you to love yourself and how did you overcome your insecurities? Comment below and share this with friends, so that we can spread self-love and acceptance. You are beautiful! Keep being you.

With love,

Moments Unfolded

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