Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, Who's The Ugliest One Of All?

self-image, statue, ideal, body, commodification

The commodification of the female body has lead many to identify their physical appearance as a type of currency.

I don't judge others by their looks - I am much more attracted to brains over brawn, throw in a pair of glasses and I'm hooked - why can't I overlook these things in myself?

By Citizen Correspondent Belinda Hudson , Australia

Date Posted: 07/26/06

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The commodification of the female (and increasingly male) body has lead many to identify their physical appearance as a type of currency - personal worth or value as measured by body type, with those of us who don't fit into the general 'ideal' often caught in a cycle of negative judgment and self loathing. When people judge themselves this way, they think that surely others are judging them the same way too. This only adds to that low self esteem and an ever worsening self image.

As a girl growing up I thought that one day, like the ugly duckling, I would turn into a beautiful (thin and model like) swan. It wasn't until I was well into my twenties that I realized that this was it. By this time the media and fashion (it was the seventies and a time of satin slacks, hot pants and bikinis) had well and truly done my self image in, as the person looking back from the mirror wasn't a Charlie's Angel, Daisy Duke, Olivia Newton John or Donna Summer. And, no matter how often your parents might say that you 'look lovely dear' if you don't want to believe it, you won't. Something young women and men are still struggling with 20 years later.

I remember when I was 17, and a size 8, thinking that I was fat, and then at 23 and a size 10 (and a young mother) still thinking that I was fat. What I wouldn't give now to have that so called 'fat' body again (I blame 4 kids and lack of sleep for my current curves). So looking at it now it really is all about perspective, but cracking that negative body image is easier said than done.

I often feel that I'm living in a house that I didn't want to move to. And yes, I could renovate - but some people like renovating and some don't. I'm a new house kind of person, (yes! I want a brand spanking new, architect designed, master built house.