IWD Special – I See You: Finding Self-Love Beyond Perfection

The Power of Recognition

I remember the first morning of 2023 vividly, as a dedicated fan of the “Avatar’ series, I found myself alone in the cinema, immersed in the world of “The Way of Water”. The Nav’vi’s greeting, “I see you”, struck a chord in me, especially when Jake said it to this son. It was more than a phrase; it was an affirmation of seeing and acknowledging someone truly and completely. It moved me deeply, and I broke down into tears immediately.

This simple, heartfelt phrase from the movie resonated with me, highlighting the importance of seeing and accepting oneself with the same equality and heart-centered love that the Na’vi did.

This encounter made me ponder on my own journey of self-growth and critique. As I reflected on this experience, a question lingered: Have I ever truly seen and honored myself without the harsh lens of self-criticism? Have I ever afforded myself the same recognition?

The Struggle for Self-Approval

While embracing body positivity and self-love, I’ve openly discussed my struggles with self-criticism in “Birthing The New Beautiful Me”. Life, with all its beauty, presents a journey where growth expands consciousness and perspectives.

I have established a tradition to embrace one new endeavor annually. This year, 2024, is dedicated to cultivating a healthier lifestyle, a phase of life where my body demands the attention previously devoted to my mind and soul.

However, as I progressed in my health journey, shedding weight and forming healthier eating habits, I found myself grappling with inner turmoil. Compliments on my changing appearance sparked an unexpected anger, revealing unresolved emotions simmering within.

I struggled to accept compliments, unable to see the efforts I had made and the new, healthier me others praised. This disbelief sparked a deeper fear, the thought that my progress was too unreal to trust.

Life’s every aspect began to overwhelm me. My journey to wellness ironically became a source of stress, the very thing known to counteract weight loss efforts. It was almost comical, being stressed about being stressed.

Eventually, the emotional weight was too heavy, and I found myself crying at work. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. My colleagues, wise in the ways of holistic wellness, offered guidance. They encouraged me to delve into self-discovery, to illuminate the parts of me I had overlooked.

As I confronted the compliments I couldn’t accept, it dawned on me: was I truly seeing myself? Even though I had come to see my own beauty, yet conflicting feelings about my weight remained, highlighting the irony of my stance on body positivity. My efforts to improve were fueled by a sense of lack, rather than self-love. This revelation made me resistant to compliments, reinforcing a belief that I was still insufficient and continuously in need of fixing.

Embracing Imperfection

When I stopped trying to fix every perceived flaw, and accepted my struggle with body positivity, tranquility and peace ensued. Recognizing the need to accept what I had resisted opened a pathway to true release. I began to see myself anew, with a sense of honour inspired by the profound connections portrayed in “Avatar”.

I see me in the mirror,
Filled with flaws on my face,
Excessive skin on my body,
Extra fats that stored in body,
To make me feel safe.

I see me in the mirror,
Accepting that this is me,
Embracing all these that I told myself is not,

I see me in the mirror,
Falling in love with me,
Gazing deeper, with honour, respect, and
with joy.

I see me.
I see me, again.

*Feeling less than thrilled with your body? It’s time to swap self-criticism for self-love! Celebrate with us at the Loving My Body event this International Women’s Day – a day dedicated to kindness, love and embracing your true self with open arms! Registrations are now open, be the first 15 and stay the entire day to receive a surprise gift worth RM490!
*T&C apply