5 Tips for Navigating Body Image As You Head Back to School
Written by Carly Compton
Heading back to school can be intimidating to say the least. Not only are you preparing for new classes and new teachers but you are seeing peers that maybe you haven’t seen all summer. It can be really easy to find yourself in a mindset of comparing yourself to peers, especially in physical appearance. Studies have shown that around middle school is when adolescents tend to develop negative thoughts toward their bodies and have their first experience with dieting. But guess what? You don’t have to fall into that trap created by toxic diet culture. In fact, there are ways in which you can accept and even celebrate your body at this age. Here are five examples as to how you can head into the new school year feeling more confident and comparing yourself less.
1) Surround yourself with supportive friends
Having friends who make you feel good about yourself is really important. Instead of surrounding yourself with peers who constantly talk negatively about their bodies or physical appearance, try and find friends who celebrate all body types and don’t engage in dieting. When your friends are celebrating who you are, it’s easier to do it for yourself.
2) Develop positive affirmations
Positive affirmations are a great way to start your day and even get you through some negative thoughts throughout the day. Try implementing some positive affirmations into your morning routine. This will help you arrive at school with a more positive view of yourself. One tip - set your phone or computer background as an affirmation; this will serve as a reminder throughout the day!
3) Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident
The way we feel in our clothes is a huge part of the way we feel about ourselves and our bodies. When you wear clothes that allow you to express yourself while also being comfortable, you may find it easier to think positively about yourself and your body. Remember, the number on the tag does not matter, so try and buy clothes that fit you properly, not just a specific size because you are afraid of going up a size. Nobody knows the size of your clothing at school except for you! The size on the tag does not determine your worth or beauty, I promise.
4) Follow accounts that make you feel good about yourself
If you are on social media, make sure to follow accounts that make you feel good about yourself. It can be so easy to get wrapped up in the toxic messaging that comes from some social media accounts and platforms. The information you take in impacts the ways you see yourself and the world around you. It is so helpful to follow inclusive content that celebrates all body types - you will more than likely see your body represented which helps us to feel less alone. You do not need to change your body to be loved and accepted, and there are so many accounts out there helping so many young individuals accept and love themselves every day.
5) Set healthy boundaries
This can be hard to do, especially with friends, because we do not want to upset them, but boundaries are a healthy part of every relationship and friendship. If you are able to identify your common triggers, express those triggers to your friends and ask that they don’t discuss those things when you are around, for example weight loss, how much they weigh, what size they were, the new diet they are doing, etc. Engaging in conversation around these topics can often lead us to feeling negatively about ourselves and can even convince us that we should start a new diet or lose weight. Finding friends that respect your boundaries is so important and something that you deserve.
This year, I hope that you can surround yourself with friends who make you feel good about yourself and help you celebrate your body no matter your size. As someone who struggled with body image throughout middle school and high school, I wish I would have known that my weight did not determine my worth and that I was beautiful just the way I was. That is exactly why I am sharing these tips with you today - to help you realize that dieting is not the solution and you are perfect just the way you are.
Carly Compton (she/her) is a therapist, model, teacher, podcast host, self-love + confidence educator, and eating disorder recovery advocate. After her five year battle with an eating disorder, she launched an at-home workout/lifestyle program in December 2017, working to take the pressure away from weight loss and instead focus on self-love, strength, and confidence. She has been featured in Vogue for Knix’s campaign with Ashley Graham and many other publications for her modeling work.
