Our bodies are vessels that carry us through life, providing us with everything from energy to movement, from strength to communication, and much more. Someone once told me that our bodies are like temples, and we should care for them in the same way.

Understanding the depth of this comparison requires time, self-reflection, and experience. From birth, society places judgments on our bodies—how much we weigh, the amount of hair we have, how our features align, and which category we fit into: fair or dusky, fat or skinny, tall or short. But if our bodies are vessels designed to help us navigate and experience life, why do we place so much emphasis on how they look?

The appearance of our vessel only matters to those who fail to understand its true purpose. What someone brings to the table—whether it’s love, wisdom, creativity, or strength—has nothing to do with the exterior. It comes from within. The external shell is merely a tool, and its value lies not in how it looks but in how well it functions to support our journey through life.

That said, it is essential to care for our bodies because if the vessel is neglected, it will fail us in the very purpose for which it exists. Nourishing our bodies is key. Our bodies often give us subtle hints about what they need—be it rest, nutrition, movement, or care. When we start listening, we begin to flourish. When we respect the needs of our body, it becomes more capable of guiding us through the experiences we hope to enjoy.

Embracing Imperfection

We are conditioned to chase unrealistic beauty standards, but what happens when we shift our perspective? When we stop seeing imperfections as flaws and start embracing them as unique characteristics that tell the story of our lives?

For many of us, this journey of self-acceptance is not linear. It can take years to unlearn societal pressures, to stop comparing ourselves to others, and to embrace the skin we’re in. But the moment we do, we free ourselves to fully inhabit the body that carries us through life.

Listening to the Body

Our bodies are intelligent. They tell us when they’re tired, hungry, stressed, or in need of movement. Unfortunately, we often drown out these signals with stress, busy schedules, or societal expectations. We push through fatigue, ignore hunger cues, and criticize ourselves instead of nurturing our bodies with love and care.

But what if we listened more? What if we treated our bodies not as objects to mold into societal ideals, but as allies in our quest for a fulfilling life?

Cultural and Societal Pressure: The Ever-Changing Beauty Standards

Let’s dive deeper into the impact of cultural and societal pressure on body image. If external appearance were truly the most important thing, why would we all be created so differently? Why would different eye shapes, skin tones, and body types exist? Despite these differences, our bodies function in the same miraculous ways—allowing us to move, think, and experience life.

Beyond that, every country and culture has its own set of beauty standards. Which ones are we supposed to follow? Every generation introduces new ideals of beauty. Should we subscribe to the trends of the time or stay true to our roots? Is it about where we live or the culture we were born into?

But here’s the real question: Who is even deciding these beauty standards? Is it the marketing teams behind beauty brands? Are we really giving them that much control over how we view our beautiful vessels?

If we don’t even know who is setting these standards, why do we feel compelled to follow them so rigidly? The standards that play on repeat in our minds are often shaped by industries profiting off our insecurities. It’s time to challenge that mindset. Instead of conforming to arbitrary ideals, let’s focus on what truly matters—our well-being, our experiences, and the incredible things our bodies allow us to do every single day.

A Personal Note on My Body Journey

On a personal note, this is the healthiest relationship I have ever had with my body—both physically and emotionally. While it may not appear obvious to others, it is my ultimate truth. I’m neither the heaviest I’ve ever been nor the lightest, but I am undeniably the healthiest I’ve ever been.

This healthiness doesn’t come from extreme diets or obsessive exercise routines. Instead, it stems from giving my body what it needs: nourishment, movement, love, and care. My goal isn’t to convince others that I am the healthiest I’ve ever been. Rather, it’s to share that cultivating a positive, healthy mindset toward your body can lead to profound growth.

In the past year, I’ve experienced transformative changes simply by listening to what my body needs. It’s about moving away from external validation and understanding that health is a deeply personal journey. When we stop chasing standards set by others and start honoring our bodies for the unique vessels they are, we create space for true self-acceptance and well-being.

P.S. – In all shapes and forms, I’m still the same Gurleen—with more personal growth.