You Can't Find Joy
You Fear Attention
A negative body image can also keep us from seeking and accepting attention. Instead of thinking we're fun to be with, have important ideas or something to contribute, we work hard to keep a low profile out of fear that others will look at us. All of which can keep you from advancing in your career, your relationships and your life.
You Fear Judgment
If you're always thinking negative things about your body, you're also likely thinking that everyone else is too—specifically, about you. Fear of judgment keeps you from speaking your mind, putting your best ideas out there or trying something new, all of which diminishes your ability to meet goals or to even have goals in the first place.
You Don't Take Risks
If your body image is a negative one, it can also keep you from taking risks. Those leaps of faith are how we discover new interests and abilities, follow our dreams and develop full and satisfying lives.
You Pass Up Good Food
Look, it's fine—even healthy—to watch what you eat. But your negative body image can keep you from food that you truly enjoy. You may also pass up chances to hang out with great people if you don't want to go out to dinner, get drinks or you want to avoid other eating situations. You never know who you'll meet.
You Don't Wear What You Want
Your negative body image will keep you out of clothes that you love, which may keep you from fully expressing who you are. Forget about body-shape categories or skipping over prints and stripes for fear of breaking the rules.
You Put Things Off
We all deserve to live the happy lives that we want, but too many of us don't even try because of how we feel about our bodies. A negative body image can keep you from creating the kind of space you want to live in, filled with the kind of friends you want to have, doing the things you want to do. If not now, when?
