Positive Self Image & Self Esteem

Affirmations of the day

• I am beautiful in my skin.

• I’m beautiful without makeup.

• I love myself unconditionally

• I’m gorgeous.

• I don't need to prove my beauty to anyone.

• I give myself the self love and affirmation I want to here.

Our self-image is the way we see and perceive ourselves, both mentally and physically. Our mental self-image is made up of our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes about ourselves, while our physical self-image is based on our appearance and how we present ourselves to others. These two aspects of our self-image are closely intertwined, and how we feel about ourselves mentally can often be reflected in how we feel about our physical appearance.

Mental Self Image

When we have a negative mental self-image, we may struggle with self-doubt, low confidence, and feelings of worthlessness. Negative self-talk, where we criticize and judge ourselves harshly, can often fuel these feelings. This can lead to a cycle of negative thinking and feelings, which can lower our self-esteem. In contrast, having a positive mental self-image can boost our confidence and help us feel more self-assured and capable. This involves incorporating positive thoughts about ourselves, recognizing our strengths and accomplishments, and practicing self-compassion.

Physical Self Image

Similarly, when we have a negative physical self-image, we may feel self-conscious and insecure about our appearance. This can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment, and we may avoid social situations or activities that make us feel exposed or vulnerable. Negative physical self-image are influences by unrealistic societal standards, past trauma, negative experiences, or simply comparing ourselves to others. On the other hand, having a positive physical self-image can help us feel more comfortable and confident in our own skin and lead to more positive interactions and experiences.

Islam encourages women to be confident in their own bodies and skin by covering up their beauty and encourages minimizing beautification through makeup to help us on this self love journey. It's a lovely way to protect our beauty and feel beautiful inside our bodies without having to share it with the world. Subhanallah, Allah SWT took away the need to prove ourselves to the world in a world that objectives women. We're more than a beautiful body. And that beauty is diverse in all aspects of our mental, physical, and spiritual being.

I struggle sometimes to go out without any concealer just bare skin or without adding any blush or lip tint. Why is that? Because a lot of the time society makes us feel the need to always have something on our faces. To always feel the need to be perfect. There's every kind of make up tutorial. Theres the five min makeup, the no makeup makeup look.

Why are there so many, we might wonder? Because a lot of us struggle to go out without anything on our faces including myself and thats normal in the society we live. But don't get me wrong. I still love watching these natural make up tutorials and experimenting with new products on my face because its enjoyable and feels nurturing and fun at times. But when we're bombarded with beauty standards and constantly changing trends every month, we start to base our own beauty and even self worth on random standards that society keeps manipulating. But beauty is not a look but it's a feeling; its confidence and self love in our own skin and bodies; its not caring what anyone else thinks about us. Its much easier said than done but it takes time and effort to get to that internal peace and confidence without needing affirmation from those around us.

• Our bodies are constantly changing throughout the month because of hormonal changes. Our cycles change our bellies, our moods and thats okay.

• Some women are mothers who go through difficult yet impressive body changes and we never talk about the struggle of dealing with those body changes and challenges with our body self image. Birthing literally widens your hip permanently.

• Labeling others and yourself

Practical Approaches

• Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would offer to a good friend.

• Challenge trending beauty standards and never compromise your authenticity and values for the world.

• Challenge negative self-talk: Notice when you are engaging in negative self-talk, such as "I'm not good enough" or "I'll never be able to do this."

• Set achievable goals: Set realistic goals for yourself and work towards them. Achieving small goals can help boost your confidence and self-esteem.

Group Activity

Make a list of your achievements and things you admire about yourself. It's hard sometimes to talk about our positives because we feel afraid it might come off as bragging. But there's a difference between confidence and bragging. So get ready and write those beautiful accomplishments:

Ex., I graduated college. I went on a walk today. I love my kindness. I'm an empathetic friend. I gave a beautiful presentation in class.

Activity on your own

Whenever you feel like youre gonna do something you may not really feel like doing just to fit in socety better or because you’re doing it for someone else's approval, do the exact opposite. For example, if I really don't feel like putting on any concealer or blush today but I feel like I won't look as fresh and awake if I don't, I won't do it. Simple as that. And I’ll continuously affirm myself I’m beautiful without makeup.

Our self-image and self-esteem play a crucial role in how we feel about ourselves and our lives. They shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and they can greatly influence our relationships, career, and overall well-being. Having a positive self-image and self-esteem means having a healthy and realistic sense of self-worth and confidence in our abilities, qualities, and potential. It means accepting and loving ourselves for who we are, flaws and all, and treating ourselves with kindness, compassion, and respect. Developing a positive self-image and self-esteem is not always easy, but it is possible with patience, practice, and perseverance.

It's important to recognize that our self-image is not fixed, and can be shaped and changed over time. By identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, practicing self-compassion, and focusing on our strengths and accomplishments, we can begin to shift towards a more positive self-image. It means accepting and loving ourselves for who we are, flaws and all, and treating ourselves with kindness, compassion, and respect. Similarly, by taking care of our physical health and appearance, practicing self-care and self-love, and avoiding comparisons to others, we can work towards a more positive physical self-image. Developing a positive self-image and self-esteem is not always easy, but it is possible with patience, practice, and perseverance.

Duaa of the Day

اللَّهُمَّ كَمَا أَحْسَنْتَ خَلْقِي فَأَحْسِنْ خُلُقِي.

“O Allah You have made my creation perfect,

so make my moral characteristics also be the best.”