Fix your life, not appearance

When you’re berating your appearance, have you ever stopped to wonder if your body is REALLY the issue?

In today’s appearance obsessed society, it’s easy to get caught up believing that ‘fixing’ your body is the answer to everything that you’re not satisfied with in life, whether that’s your career or relationships.

On my body confidence journey, I’ve discovered that body dissatisfaction usually masks issues that are more than skin deep.

In this post, I explore how to pinpoint what’s really behind body fixation so you can face what’s really troubling you.

Dealing with the root cause of body concerns will make you happier than any attempts at ‘body fixing’.

Watch or read below:

What’s behind body fixation?

I’ve noticed that if there’s something about my life I’m not content with, my body image suffers too.

For example, if my business isn’t going in the direction I want it to, I’ll notice how I overly focus on aspects of my appearance – picking on things that I don’t like.

Because I’ve been doing body image work for years, I’m incredibly self-aware.  I wouldn’t, however, expect everyone to make this connection.

Becoming aware of this connection, and noticing when it’s happening is a useful tool to have in your body confidence kit.

What’s really going on?

The next time you become aware that you’re overly focusing on your appearance, just notice that it’s happening.

Then ask yourself:

What’s really going on for me right now?

Where am I not fulfilled?

Where am I not content?

Keep asking these questions.  Eventually, you’ll get clarity about what you’re really dissatisfied with.

Understanding the real reason behind your appearance fixation takes the spotlight off your body and onto the areas of your life that need the attention.

Much (although not all) body dislike is dissatisfaction with your life turned on your body.

Because you (mistakenly) believe that you have complete control over your looks, it’s easier to try to fix what you don’t like about your appearance than face what’s really troubling you.

Focus on your life

Once you’re clear about what’s really going on, brainstorm steps you can take to up your life satisfaction.

If you’re unhappy with your job, maybe you need to talk to your boss.  Or perhaps it’s time to look for a new job or look at ways that you can develop in your existing role.

Or if your relationship is making you unhappy perhaps it’s time to have a heart to heart talk with your partner about what you both need.

Facing what really needs your attention can feel scarier than trying to fix your body.

BUT, your body isn’t really the problem.

Addressing the wrong thing won’t result in a happier, more content or fulfilled YOU!

I’d love to know what really needs the focus in your life, so leave me a comment below.