Be you!

Happy International Women’s Day!

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on achievements, challenges, contributions, and issues related to women. It’s a time to discuss these topics across various forums.

We live in a diverse world. A small percentage of women are scaling heights in their professional or personal lives, while many aspire to reach their goals. At the same time, countless women struggle to make ends meet. Some work tirelessly for their families and communities at the expense of their physical and emotional health. A massive number of women are fighting just to secure life’s bare necessities.

While one segment of society celebrates Women’s Day with shopping, lunches, and parties, innumerable women don’t even know such celebrations exist. That is the reality of our big, diverse world. If I start writing about all the issues women face, it wouldn’t fit in a single blog. So today, I will focus on one point: being you.

Objectification of women has become common in advertisements, movies, and media. Crimes against women are increasing, and on the other hand, women are becoming obsessed with unrealistic models on screen, leading to negative body image.

Sabotaging health in the quest for the “perfect body”—over-exercising, extreme dieting, and unhealthy eating habits—has become a serious issue. Many women fall into a vicious cycle of under-eating and overeating. Aggressive marketing promotes treatments to change skin color, texture, hair type, and more, often by demeaning some appearances and glorifying others.

This exaggerated concept of beauty creates stress for women of all ages. Even children and teenagers are falling prey to these messages. Big beauty brands focus on revenue without considering the negative societal impact. Shockingly, even little girls are asking for fairness creams and slimming products!

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to look good. You can look good as you are—and feel good too. But society and media scream from the rooftops that only certain features define beauty, forcing everyone into the same mold. This adds pressure to individuals already juggling responsibilities and challenges.

How much pressure do we face today to align with these virtual standards? How much importance should we give to what others think about our bodies? Should we care for our bodies—or punish them for not fitting society’s so-called standards, causing physical and emotional distress?

We have one body, and we need to live in it for life. We can’t exchange it like consumables. Do you think twice before eating—whether it benefits your body? If it were your car, would you buy poor-quality fuel? Knowing you can repair or replace a car, you’d still choose quality fuel to keep the engine running well.

What does our body need? Nutritious food, regular exercise, and peace of mind. However busy we are, we must invest time and resources in maintaining our health. A healthy body and mind are inseparable and give us the confidence to live better.

True, we may not have complete control over our health. But can we at least focus on retaining what we have and improving it? By taking one step at a time, we can care for ourselves better. Your health and wellness play a major role in your life. Before you care for others, you need to be in good condition. Be mindful of what you consume—both for your body and mind.

Why compare yourself with others? Pave your own path to regain health and nurture your mind, body, and soul. Move forward without worrying about the stereotypes created by society.

You are unique—with your body and mind. Forget the molds created by media and society. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself. Take ownership of your life, invest time and effort to choose your path, and go for it!

—Anitha KC

Images: Google images