Dear readers,
While society for many of us can be a large contributing factor to how we view our body image, often times an even larger critic is ourselves. Yes, seeing beautiful women and athletic-looking guys throughout a world of advertising can make many feel self-conscious about their body, however, ultimately the only person critiquing every little detail of your body is you. In this issue, writers Hashem Anabtawi and Miriam Alghothani take a closer look at the topic of body image among teenagers. Specifically, the two report on the pressure for teenage boys to look a certain, athletic way.
Although many times it is not easy to block out the media’s perception of beauty, I think it is important we remember that true beauty is the most good-looking when we’re not trying to impress anyone. I have found that the truly beautiful people are not the skinniest girls with the prettiest hair or the muscular guys with the darkest tan; but rather, those who look healthy and happy. More often than not, the most beautiful people are the ones who are comfortable in their own skin and do not dwell too much on their flaws.
Focusing on what we want to change about ourselves not only disappoints us, it corrupts us to believing we don’t look good enough. We’re not skinny enough. We’re not pretty enough. It is miserable enough to let some else’s opinion of you control your decisions, let alone, being deceived into thinking that you’re not good enough yourself.
While it may be more of a struggle for some rather than others, it is important that we find a tangent of happiness of which we rely on for our mental, spiritual and physical health. Getting an extra little dose of sunshine each day, going for an evening walk, or cleansing impurities with an extra glass of water each day can all positively influence our day-to-day routine. Ultimately, it is once beauty is measured in happiness, not in pounds or muscles, that we find a perfect contentment with ourselves.
Grace Moody
Arlingtonian Editor in Chief