Overcoming Image Issues

figure flaws copyImage issues often start with a simple opinion.
Sometimes a child’s taunting “your ugly” still rings in a woman’s ears 40 years later. I have counseled girls with obsessions over things about their body that they felt were huge issues. In reality their image issues were minor flaws that were like a juggler vein that the bully on the playground naively severed. Of course there are times that the offense wasn’t naive at all; jealous or mean people sometime purposely hurt us. It doesn’t just happen in our childhood either, but somehow these Confidence Conflictsmake us feel childish. As adults we don’t want to feel like a kid, so this isn’t always an easy question, but I’m going to ask it anyway.

What is it about your image that is an issue to you?

Is it a vertical challenge, do you feel like you are too tall or short? A structural one, do you hate being big boned or having a frail figure? Or is it a weight issue or a facial feature that you do not like? If you were to ask a trusted friend, would she agree that this is a “figure flaw” or could this physical trait be something that characterizes you and most people have no problem with your [crocked nose]?
Today I want to remind you that the very thing you do not like could very well be your greatest asset. Any defining trait doesn’t have to define you, but it can be the thing that makes you outstanding. Don’t let anyone (or any memory) steel that from you. BE and LET BE.

There are ways to balance your disproportions and imperfections illusionally. You can find them in my book of guidelines for your personal Image Identity. My advice is to do what you can to accentuate the beauty you have and then forget about your flaws. Think about others. There are so many other women and children (and a few men) out there who need help battling with their own image issues, go show them what Confident Beauty is all about.

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Catrina Welch is an image- and life-coach whose message is not as much “what not to wear” as it is, “Know Who You Are,” which is the title of her book of guidelines for your personal image identity. Catrina has also written a Bible study to help women overcome their confidence conflicts; it is titled Supreme MakeOver: a Rich and Refreshing Devotional Experience. Her other books include Footprints Through the Sand: a Consolidation of Life-altering stories about Loving and Losing a Trisomy-18 Baby and Confident Beauty: Reflecting the One Who Made You with the Images in Your Mirror and Your Soul, which will be available in book stores this spring. All of these books are available now at www.CatrinaWelch.com