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Body image is how a person perceives their body through their thoughts and feelings. Weight, size, shape, and appearance cannot be right or wrong in any way. But if one notices a change in the appearance of a friend or a family member, there is a delicate line between genuine concern and critical comments.
Where beauty expectations are pushed to the limit, social media is where a lot of these negative comments are made. It is easier to criticize a stranger on the internet from behind a screen.
Common targets of body scrutiny are usually female celebrities. For example, Ariana Grande. Many people commented on her weight loss, calling her appearance “sickly,” especially during the Wicked press tours. It shows how no one can ever win against societal expectations. If one gains weight, people have a problem with it, and if one loses weight, even then people will have an opinion.
Ariana Grande mentioned in a recent interview that “You never know what someone is going through, so even if you’re coming from a loving place or a caring place, that person is probably working on it or has a support system that they’re working on it with.” It is not anybody’s right to make remarks about a person’s body because one never knows what the person is going through.
It is okay to be concerned about a friend’s well-being, but it is important not to draw attention to an insecurity they may already be struggling with. Unsolicited advice is never a good idea. Approach the person in private and be conscious about their feelings, with the intention to help them. Approach the person from a place of empathy, and without any judgement. If the person is not ready to talk, respect their boundaries. Expressing positive thoughts on your own and the person’s appearance can enforce satisfaction in one’s looks.
Skip appearance and focus on non-physical things, like personality and skills. If commenting on someone’s appearance, do it on something they have control over, like an outfit or hair, because those are things that are impermanent and can be quickly changed.
