Body image and confidence.

This is a touchy subject that I've wanted to discuss for a while, and I thought it would be relevant while I've been looking at diversity in Uni at the moment. Also, there's been a variety of headlines lately that are very important and link to the subject.

So firstly, ever since I was young I have been extremely insecure about myself. I never used to look in the mirror without crying. I would spend hours and hours in the mirror at home trying to 'perfect' myself so that I wasn't 'ugly' anymore. Nothing changed. I would still walk around shops, find a mirror and break down crying in the middle of the store. I never tried to come across as a brat. I don't understand were this all started, I just know that these are effects of bullying in Primary school and being harsh on myself. I fell borderline anorexic a few years ago and was nearly admitted to hospital; because of how much I hated my body and the way I looked.

Although I'm a little better now, I still have no confidence and can't go anywhere without my mind racing about how 'ugly' I look. I may be a size 6, but I am still not happy with my body. I get told I'm 'pretty', but I generally don't like the way I look because I'm forever comparing myself to others, which makes me so depressed. And this has really made me realise that having confidence and being happy with yourself is definitely the most important thing. You could be 'perfect' to others, but it always comes down to what you think of yourself.

I'm not the only person who is very insecure about themselves; I've come across a lot of girls and lads who feel the same. It's so sad to see this effecting other people. So, what's mainly to blame for this high level of insecurity? The fashion industry of course. 

Lately, I have to admit that change is looking promising; thanks to the spreading on social media such as Instagram. #DropThePlus is the latest campaign to diminish the description of 'plus size'. Stefania Ferrario; model and campaign leader has been labelled as plus size because she is a UK size 12. This is obscene, since this is the average UK size anyway. So is labelling the majority of the country as plus size suppose to be some sort of a compliment? This is exactly why a lot of girls today suffer from eating disorders and insecurities, just because of a unnecessary label. We all come in different shapes and sizes, and society is pressurising people to be the perfect person.

Another piece of news which surprised me is that France are debating on creating a new law that models need to meet a certain weight to stop glamourising models who are too thin. It's so good to hear that governments are starting to take responsibility of these important issues that have been ignored. This could reduce the number of eating disorders diagnosed, and we could soon live in a world were all shapes and sizes are accepted.