There’s no shortage of body shaming media available to consume and make yourself feel badly with. However, the world of the internet and the brave vulnerability of men and women have created a new movement in media that is “body positive” instead of body shaming. If the media you are looking at makes you feel like you are not enough, like you are meant to look like someone else, like the way you look is wrong in anyway, you are consuming the wrong kind of media. Images of bodies and the words used to describe those bodies should be empowering. Media about the human body should be all inclusive, positive, encouraging, and self-esteem boosting.
The media you consume makes you question yourself in your life
Media is meant to inform you, inspire you, educate you, and encourage you to go out and achieve your dreams. Much of the media thrives on telling you what your dreams are instead of helping you explore what your dreams could be. Instead of giving you a platform to launch from, problematic media makes you feel weak and unsure of your ability to stand on your own two feet. When you think you have your own ideas and then media tells you that your ideas are wrong is a sign that you are consuming the wrong kind of media. Images and narratives you consume should be showing you how to become the best version of yourself, according to your definition, not the definition the media is dictating to you.
The media you consume seems fair to everyone being discussed
Media is used to take a position and spark a conversation. If you haven’t noticed a fair conversation being given to all participants, you aren’t consuming fair media. Media that punishes, shames, bullies, and marginalizes people like those who have certain body images, mental health disorders, hair color, eye color, or fashion choice isn’t fair media.
Recovery teaches us to be fair- to ourselves and to others in our life. When we are recovering from body dysmorphic disorder, we are working hard to create an inspiring, empowering, confident, and fair narrative in our minds. One of the most difficult, but important, therapeutic steps we are suggested to take is significantly reducing our media intake- especially media that is harmful to our recovery. You can recover from body dysmorphic disorder and develop a healthy, realistic relationship with yourself. Avalon By The Sea offers a residential treatment program for primary mental health conditions like body dysmorphic disorder. For a confidential assessment and more information, call us today: 888-958-7511
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