Supermodel Cindy Crawford was famously quoted as saying, “I wish I looked like Cindy Crawford.” It was a bold admission that in real life, no one looks like the supermodels in magazines or movie stars on screen. With makeup, lighting, and Photoshop, pop culture continues to hold up impossible standards of beauty. How are we, as real-life humans, supposed to measure up? Here’s the secret: We don’t have to.
To love yourself, just as you are, is freedom. Freedom from constantly comparing yourself to others. Freedom from spending your hard-earned money on products aimed at helping you be “better.” Freedom from wasting precious time worrying that you’re not enough. You are enough.
From Taylor Swift to Oprah Winfrey, many prominent figures have observed that true beauty — and real happiness — stems not from the outside, but from the inside, starting with self-love, acceptance, and confidence. The following quotes urge us to shift perspective, embrace body positivity, and show ourselves the same kindness and compassion that we extend to those around us.
I definitely have body issues, but everybody does. When you come to the realization that everybody does — even the people that I consider flawless — then you can start to live with the way you are.Taylor Swift
Work out because you love your body, not because you hate it.Torre Washington
You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.Louise Hay
To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.Thích Nhất Hạnh
Stop trying to fix your body. It was never broken.Eve Ensler
And I said to my body softly, “I want to be your friend.” It took a long breath and replied, “I have been waiting my whole life for this.”Nayyirah Waheed
The reality was my life wasn’t miserable because I was curvy; I was miserable because I thought I’d be happier if I were thinner.Brittany Gibbons
Step away from the mean girls and say bye-bye to feeling bad about your looks. Are you ready to stop colluding with a culture that makes so many of us feel physically inadequate? Say goodbye to your inner critic, and take this pledge to be kinder to yourself and others.Oprah Winfrey
Your words have so much power. Every day, if you tell yourself “I love you,” if you give yourself one word of validation, it will change your mind.Ashley Graham
Confidence is a habit that can be developed by acting as if you already had the confidence you desire to have.Brian Tracy
You can’t hate yourself happy. You can’t criticize yourself thin. You can’t shame yourself worthy. Real change begins with self-love and self-care.Jessica Ortner
Stop spending all day obsessing, cursing, perfecting your body like it’s all you’ve got to offer the world. Your body is not your art, it’s your paintbrush.Glennon Doyle
Confidence is the only key. I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.Emma Stone
Being a healthy woman isn’t about getting on a scale or measuring your waistline. We need to start focusing on what matters — on how we feel, and how we feel about ourselves.Michelle Obama
Take your time and your talent and figure out what you have to contribute to this world, and get over what the hell your butt looks like in those jeans!America Ferrera
To love yourself right now, just as you are, is to give yourself heaven.Alan Cohen
Featured image credit: Pawel Czerwinski/ Unsplash
