Those envious hour glass figures, smooth peaches and cream skin, luscious locks of hair, toned pair of limbs, wash board abs and some photoshop enhanced beauties that adore silver screen, television, glossy covers of magazines and catalogs not only garner admiration by people of both sexes but also kindle aspiration of attaining that “perfect” body or personality in minds of many women all round the world. Leave alone celebrities, looking at your super gorgeous (read as better looking) friend’s photos at some social networking site also might receive your appreciative but aspirational glances.

Being a woman it’s always considered being “pretty” or “beautiful” as a pre-requisite, someone who always has to be good to look at, or desirable; as if every chromosomal pair XX came with that ohh so astounding beauty gene. The problem does not arise in aspiring or working towards gaining better, more fit body or improved self. The dilemma stems when a certain tendency of comparison occurs and one ends up in being not able to love and appreciate oneself just because you do not fit into the general perception of beauty. The recent advertising campaign of DOVE sketches reasserted the fact how harsh and critical women can be while evaluating their looks and often miss seeing their own beauty and pleasant features.

As if the entire idea of beauty and judging oneself is all about having a right symmetrical body, blemish free skin or impeccable fashion & make up sense, whatever happened to the other aspects of personality like talent, sense of humor, intellect, thought process, compassion or a contagious smile. The adversity of being teased or mocked for being short, fat, round, thin or tall from usual standards especially by usage of the insolent connotations for these physical attributes in native languages, self-deprecating jokes, criticism, gossip and bullying have marred and affected self esteem and confidence of many women. Psychological issues like low self esteem, comparing oneself with peers at physical attributes, aberated confidence levels, and obsession for achieving that HOT body has led many women across the globe into eating & health disorders like anorexia, bulimia, burnt out due to over-exercising and mental depression.

Although, fashion world is now encouraging the plus size models and voluptuous figures, many initiatives need to be taken for busting size zero and other beauty related fads and creating a healthy body image as each individual woman’s body demands to be accepted on its own terms.

Hence, to all those ladies who crave and punish themselves for not being someone else’s idea of perfection here’s the thing “You are the only you Nature made… Nature made you and broke the mould.” Feeling comfortable and confident in your skin is more vital than fitting into norms. Measure yourself in your strengths and smiles and not just in inches and kilos. It is important to realize that this very body we have, with its share of imperfections; with its aches and its pleasures is exactly what we need to be fully human, fully awake and fully alive. Love yourself; take pride in your body, WORK on your fitness but minus any pressures. For once, you believe in yourself and you believe you are beautiful; so will the rest of the world.