5 Things Feeling Better In Your Skin.

So admittedly, summer is over so we don’t need to worry as much about our bikini body – but I guess this is still a time where I stress a little over my figure as long cycles in the sun are a thing of the past, and I’m more likely to spend my evenings with Netflix and biscuits. The dream! For the most part…

This post has been in the wings for some time, how to feel better in your skin without endless trips to the gym. I get a lot of stick over my size on the internet, so it’s always something that’s in the back of my mind – should I be thinner? Do I quit carbs? Should I just give in and wear a sack forever?! I know I’m not alone in this, I see little comments all over Instagram about weight – and the size comments are the reason I don’t do outfit posts or lookbooks or whatever, even the simple ‘you look like you’ve lost weight’ annoy the hell out of the me, to the point where I usually delete them/the photo. Not for me as such, I just think there’s probably a lot of young people who follow me who will see comments like that, start thinking that my body shape isn’t right and then start on the road to harmful thoughts about their own shape. I don’t think I’m fat, by the way – I’ve long given up on the idea that I’ll have a body like Jillian Michaels (ha! I could have gone for anyone there) but I think for my height I’m healthy, I eat well and my clothes fit.

Anyway, with that in mind, I wanted to note down some tips for feeling your best! Obviously, the aim is to be healthy – eat a balanced diet and try to squeeze in an ideal amount of exercise (even just walking everywhere), and if you’re doing that and you’re happy with your size etc., I see no problem. I always think that with these things, you always want what you don’t have. I have a friend who is naturally very slim, she has a boyish shape and legs that go on FOREVER. Like I can’t even place where they start (somewhere around her ears, it seems), she’s one of those people who could eat a birthday cake for breakfast every day and still not fill out. Obviously, to me this is a novelty. Such thin legs! No double chin when you accidentally turn on the front camera! But she tries desperately to get a little boob up in there, to have thighs (take some of mine!) so I guess it’s just one of those things. We allll different, and we all want something different – so here’s a little advice…

Give Yourself Some TLC
For me, a good pamper is worth five trips to the gym in terms of feeling better about myself. I soak in the bath, slap in a hair mask, do a really extended version of my skincare routine that involves several face cloths and four toners, and paint my nails. I do this quite regularly, and it makes me feel way better – like, WAY better. I also give myself a little at-home fake tan too, I find having a golden glow hides all sorts of unsightly patches. I would say, keep back £20 from your paycheque each month and look after you – even if that’s just stocking up on vitamins and getting your nails done. Do what makes you happy, and really take part in some serious self-indulgence. Oh, and don’t underestimate the power of a good selfie to make you feel like a queen!

Stop Comparing
I am so bad at looking at my friends and saying “give me your toned arms, STAT” or “plz may I have skin like you”, constantly comparing myself to other people. Not even celebrities, but real girls I know and love, rather than appreciating my nice blue eyes and Cupid’s Bow. Then, a friend will say “gah my teeth are so uneven” when they’re almost perfectly straight, or her legs are too stumpy when she’s towering over me and I think, ok this needs to end.
Choose bits you love and work from there, I try and remember that I was blessed with good brows when I start comparing myself to the babes all over Instagram. The trick isn’t to put them down to make you feel better, it’s to remember that you have a million great things going on that other girls will be side-eyeing left, right and centre! Be your own best friend, not your worst enemy.

Work On Your Personality
HAHA this sounds so mean, I’m actually doing a little smirk. Seriously though, I feel like I’ve got to this point in life where I feel more envious when someone has a crackin’ sense of humour and the ability to dish out compliments willy nilly, than having perfect skin and a great figure. I love people who are so honest and accepting of themselves that they’re good with complimenting other people. As in, complimenting other girls doesn’t mean that they’re not lovely too! Work on being the best human you can be, on the inside, and then take care of anything that’s been bugging you if you think it really matters.
I’m friends with a lot of boys, although there’s probably an equal split, but they’re the kind of guys (all straight, to my knowledge) that would never ever say anything derogatory about a girl, and I think this has really changed my outlook. The girls are the same, happy to be honest with themselves and totally ok with making everyone else feel better about themselves too – these are the people you want in your life. None of ‘em toxic friendships, h’okay?

Embrace Your Figure
I think I have quite a hard figure to dress, as I have this extreme hourglass shape which sounds nice on paper but actually everything makes me look a bit top heavy. I’ve actually found Pinterest is quite good for tips on how to dress for your shape – the key to looking good! I just look up ‘dress for your shape hourglass” or whatever, and there’s so much inspiration, from outfits to plans. I tend to skip anything floaty on top, and opt for skinny jeans or a skirt with a nipped in waist on the bottom. Little changes to your wardrobe will have you feeling great!
I also find that I get a little down with other things, like my bad skin and how fine my hair is – but I find reading up on products and obviously writing a blog helps to keep me in the know.

Remember…
We’re all fighting our own battles, even the strongest people you know have body issues and hang-ups. It’s easy to judge someone from a photo on Instagram and feel a pang of envy, but they’ll have something they don’t like about themselves, something that makes them human. One of my friends is a size 16 and I often hear her make comments about how Zara doesn’t stock her size, but she has the most toned arms I’ve ever seen, and hair that I would probably die for. If it really came to it, I would die for hair that good. Honestly, who even needs Zara.

So that was just a few things to keep in mind over winter when you’re choosing to sit on the sofa instead of going to the gym again!

Any other words of wisdom?