Draven Jackson
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Having body image issues or body dysmorphia is a huge problem that people everywhere experience every day. Very few people are completely happy with their body, and it’s sad that so many people spend more time comparing their bodies to someone else’s rather than appreciating their own beauty.

Whether you experience body image issues based on weight, style, gender, or feel disconnected from your body for any other number of reasons, I hope these inspiring quotes about body positivity can help you through those difficult days.

No matter what, know that you are loved and you are beautiful simply for being who you are.

Feeling beautiful has nothing to do with what you look like. – Emma Watson

At the end of the day, many body image issues stem from our minds putting too much merit into what our bodies look like. We search for validation about our physical attributes and forget that beauty has so little to do with what you look like and so much to do with who you are.

You are beautiful because you are kind, hard-working, and considerate – because you are a living person doing their best each day. Not because of what your body looks like.

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. – Meryl Streep

Life can be such a wonderful and beautiful thing, but so often we let ourselves be weighed down by our body image issues and negative thoughts. Don’t let numbers on a scale or a little flab on your arms keep you from living each day to its fullest! The way your body looks or the weight you hold in your belly shouldn’t dictate your day or hurt your happiness in life.

Being a healthy woman isn’t about getting on a scale or measuring your waistline. We need to start focusing on what matters — on how we feel, and how we feel about ourselves. – Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama said it best in her quote, and this way of thinking has really helped me on some of my worst negative body image days. How I feel about myself has so little to do with the numbers on a scale. I want to feel good about the way I treat others, the way I work hard, and the way I do my best to improve every day – not because I’m skinny or pretty or way ten pounds less.

You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens. – Louise Hay

The worst part about body dysmorphia and body image issues is the way they breed constant criticisms about parts of your body you may not even be able to control. We blame ourselves for the way we look as if we ever had a say in our physical creation.

Instead of criticizing what you don’t like about yourself, take some time to remind your mind and body that they are important and wonderful. Affirm that you are worthy and loved and remind yourself that you are more than just your body.

Your body is your home, your vessel in life. It needs to be respected and loved. – Iskra Lawrence

Body image issues produce negative thoughts that disrespect our bodies – we say things to ourselves that we would never say to another person because they are mean, hurtful, and negative. Your body is your home – it’s carried you through pain and difficult times and it’s stronger than you give it credit for.

Be kind to yourself and your body, the same way you’d respect and be kind to others. You deserve love and respect just as much as anyone else.

I’ve finally recognized my body for what it is: a personality-delivery system, designed expressly to carry my character from place to place, now and in the years to come. – Anna Quindlen

You’re so much more than your body, and negative body image issues can easily make you forget that it is your soul and your character that carry importance in life. Remind yourself daily that you are made up of so many beautiful bits and pieces, and very little of your beauty comes from the way your body looks.

You’re a human being. You live once and life is wonderful, so eat the damn red velvet cupcake. – Emma Stone

I am the worst about spiraling into self-deprecating thoughts when I’m suffering from body image problems. I will deny myself the simple pleasures of eating delicious food and enjoying life because I am not “skinny” enough, I’m not “pretty” enough.

But life is so short, and there are so many wonderful things to enjoy and try. Don’t limit your life based on negative thoughts about your body. Whether you’re thick or skinny, curvy or small, you deserve that cupcake.

Most important, in order to find real happiness, you must learn to love yourself for the totality of who you are and not just what you look like. – Portia de Rossi

At the end of the day, if you take nothing else from these quotes about body image issues and body positivity, remember that you are more than what you look like. You are the things that make you smile and the sound of your laugh, the way you treat your loved ones, and the songs that make you sing out loud.

You are so, so important and deserve so much love.

You’re a work of art, not everybody will understand you, but the ones that do will never forget about you. – Amber Ibarreche

My body image issues most notably stem from trying to compare the way I look to other people. I want to look as pretty as they do, and when I don’t I feel disappointed and let down. In moments like these, I try and remind myself that people are like works of art – no two pieces are exactly the same, but they are still beautiful and admired by others for the things that make them different.

You are a work of art, both inside and out, and there are more people who appreciate and admire you than you realize.

You are imperfect, permanently, and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful. –Amy Bloom

Despite what your negative body image anxieties may want you to believe, no one is perfect. Everyone is flawed and full of imperfections. It is these flaws that make you interesting and unique, and they should be praised and valued rather than put down.

Even someone you consider to be the most beautiful person alive has things that they may not like about themselves. Those differences are what truly makes them beautiful.

If you retain nothing else, always remember the most important rule of beauty, which is– who cares? –Tina Fey

But really, who cares? Why does it matter if our skin is clear, our stomach flat, and our curves perfectly shaped? Body image issues make us believe that everyone is critiquing us all the time – but honestly, who cares if they are? If you are happy, if you are content with who you are, then the way people think about you really doesn’t matter.

I finally realized that being grateful to my body was key to giving more love to myself. –Oprah

Your body has been through so much – it’s faced storms and bad weather, enjoyed sunny days, and held you up when all you wanted to do was fall. Don’t let body image issues convince you that your body isn’t strong and powerful. Remember that you and your body deserve love, and you have to be willing to give that to yourself.

I hope these quotes helped you as much as they’ve helped me. If you have more body-positive quotes, tell us in the comments!

About Draven Jackson

Draven is an avid writer and reader who enjoys sharing her opinions on movies, books, and music with the rest of the world. She will soon be working as a teacher in Japan and hopes to use her experience to connect with other teachers and students around the globe. Draven spends most of her time at home with her family, her dogs, and her ferret.

To see more, view all posts by Draven Jackson here.