Here's how you can make 2024 a year full of body positivity and main character energy

Every year at this time, the entire world sets its goals for the coming year. Isn't that a nice thing? Possibly so. And body-positive resolutions are the most common ones. However, far too frequently, body-positive New Year's resolutions are rooted in diet culture and unrealistic expectations for ourselves and our bodies. While this year is a great time to modify habits and hold ourselves accountable, it’s also important to consciously make an effort to add some self-love to our New Year's resolutions. In a society where cultural standards frequently drive our notions of beauty, it's high time we set our own standards for self-love and love our bodies wholeheartedly. 

Let's start off the new year with the right resolutions, and make it all about self-love, confidence and being comfortable in your own skin. While setting resolutions doesn't guarantee success, it helps us live the next 365 days more mindfully. If you are up for trying out loving yourself a little more in the coming year, here are five resolutions that will significantly improve your body image and empower you to love yourself fiercely.

Rethink your relationship with food

How does food make you feel? How can you live a life where food not only fuels you but also makes you happy and satiated? Practise mindfulness when it comes to choosing what foods you consume so that your eating habits aren't ruled by cravings. Limiting what we can and cannot eat is the mentality that sends so many of us into a vicious cycle of restricting, binging, and restricting once again. Rather than demonising an entire food group, try and enjoy everything in moderation. After all, aren’t we all aware of how forbidding something only makes us want it more?

 

Move for joy

Exercise should be a source of joy, not dread. Try one new workout every month or stick to one or more you know you love. This could involve a yoga or pilates session, hike hiking, kickboxing, dance workouts, etc. Instead of putting yourself through a workout sesh you hate, engage in activities that make you happy, so you are consistent at it. This year, make movement a celebration of the great things your body is capable of rather than a means to an unachievable end. After all, our end goal should be to become more healthy to love and respect ourselves rather than change the way we look

Practice self-love

Consider your internal conversation to be a hype squad cheering you on, rather than a critic pulling you down. Make it a daily habit to talk to yourself lovingly. Every day, take a moment to appreciate your body whether it's for your body's durability, healing ability, or the particular qualities that set you apart; gratitude can improve your connection with your body. Celebrate your small triumphs and watch your confidence grow. After all, it's not just a New Year—it's an opportunity to strut into life unapologetically with absolute confidence.

 

Challenge beauty standards 

We know that it’s wrong to compare our bodies to others. But do you know what’s worse? Comparing ourselves to our past selves. Every day, our bodies grow and evolve. Having a baby, dealing with health issues, or literally growing up can all alter the appearance of your body. And that's fine. You don't have to look like you did a few years ago to feel worthy right now. From clothes that don't fit you any more to those that make you feel less confident, reflect on the items in your wardrobe. Get rid of everything that no longer fits you. If there are pieces that challenge your confidence, push yourself to finally wear them without feeling conscious. One way to start feeling less body-conscious in certain styles that you love but avoid is to take inspiration from people who have reached that level of confidence. They will inspire you to not let society dictate what you wear. If there are pieces that challenge your confidence, push yourself to finally wear them without feeling conscious. One way to start feeling less body-conscious in certain styles that you love but avoid is to take inspiration from people who have reached that level of confidence. They will inspire you to not let society dictate what you wear.

Mindful social media consumption

With the amount of content we all consume on social media, it's easy to become distracted by body-negative people that you follow. Do a good old social media purge and start following people who inspire you to be body-positive. Unfollow accounts that make you doubt your worth or promote unrealistic standards. Surround yourself with optimism that promotes self-acceptance and love. Your social media feed should inspire you, not make you feel insecure.