Ever heard of "self-esteem"?
In Japanese, the words are "self-esteem", "self-respect" and "self-affirmation".
Roughly translated, it is the feeling of respecting one's own worth and cherishing oneself.
What exactly does it mean to raise self-esteem and cherish it?
Summarized with examples.
table of contents
- 1What is self-esteem?
- 2 Being yourself
- 3 Various self-esteems
- 3.1 ① Iconic single eyebrow model
- 3.2 ② Women who stopped shaving
- 3.3 ③ Models don't have to be thin
- 4 Summary
What is self-esteem
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As I briefly explained at the beginning, self-esteem is a feeling of self-esteem.
In recent years, this term has received a lot of attention.
The understanding of sexual minorities has deepened, and disrespect for women and racist behavior have been criticized. I'm here.
・ Feeling like yourself
・Treasure yourself
・Recognize yourself as an irreplaceable existence
・accept yourself
・Able to make decisions on your own
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The Japanese word "self-respect" is rarely used in a positive sense,
Self-esteem is the feeling of acknowledging and loving yourself for who you are, rather than being arrogant or arrogant.
Human beings have strengths and weaknesses, and we accept all of them.
So that you don't become small just by worrying about your weaknesses,
Live with confidence.
By acknowledging yourself, you will also be considerate and accepted by others.
That way of thinking is self-esteem.
being yourself
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What exactly is self-affirmation?
For example, sexual minorities represented by LGBT, which has become a hot topic in recent years.
Recently, the recognition of sexual minorities has expanded, and they are also called LGBTQ+.
Being LGBT has not been understood until now, and it has afflicted sexual minorities.
Even now, there are still many sexual minorities who cannot openly express their romantic feelings not only to their friends and acquaintances, but even to their families.
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However, in recent years, there have been an increasing number of celebrities who openly declare themselves as sexual minorities in the spirit of self-esteem, saying, "I value being myself."
For example, overseas singer Sam Smith, former swimmer Ian Thorpe, actress Kristen Stewart, Japanese economic commentator Kazuyo Katsuma, entertainer Moga Mogami, and comedian Kazureza. and so on.
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By coming out as sexual minorities, they not only acknowledged and respected their own sexuality, but also encouraged many other sexual minorities.
As a result, activities to "recognize sexual minorities" have gradually become active on a global scale, and the world is becoming more tolerant, such as an increase in the number of regions where same-sex marriage is recognized.
Of course, not all have been recognized, and many people are still suffering.
It may be difficult to completely eradicate prejudice and discrimination, but prejudice against LGBT people is now becoming old and ugly.
I just hope that the world will become a place where all sexual minorities can raise their self-esteem, be proud of themselves, and love themselves.
Various self-esteems
I mentioned sexual minorities as an example, but there are many more examples of self-esteem in the world.
① Iconic single eyebrow model
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Model Sofia Hadzipantelli.
Her charm point is undoubtedly her unibrow.
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"I wear makeup because it's fun, and I wear unibrow because I like it. I like makeup and I like unibrow, so I do it."
Sophia, who says so, also had a complex in the past when her fine eyebrows were processed.
I started to be proud of my own fine eyebrows when I dyed my eyebrows.
When I dyed my eyebrows, which were originally blond, black, Sophia was acclaimed by her brothers, saying, ``It suits you very well!''
He says he's noticed an aesthetic that makes him proud of his natural, fine brows.
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"Even if people criticize me for not being normal about my makeup, hair color, or weird body parts, I'm still who I am, and no matter what anyone says, I'm not going to stop it."
The decision was sadly met with a lot of criticism.
But more than that, many people were impressed by her way of thinking, "Treasure yourself as you are."
It's strange that the eyebrows are connected.
Who decided that?
② Women who stopped shaving
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The charm of a woman is smooth and smooth skin with no unwanted hair!
Really?
Do you know the "women who don't shave their hair" that are often featured in internet news these days?
The idea that "women must shave their hair to be vulgar," which had become common sense around the world, is now becoming an outdated idea.
#lesprincessesontdespoils pic.twitter.com/oUbe0HLzeB
—adèle 𓆝𓆟𓆜𓆞𓆡 (@adelelabo) July 11, 2016
There's even a hashtag on Instagram, #LesPrincessesOntDesPoils , which actively talks about women's freedom not to shave.
On this hashtag, women from various countries post photos showing their underarm and shin hair.
It all started in 2016, when a 16-year-old girl shared a photo of herself with a message saying, "It's not abnormal to leave your body hair on."
After being ridiculed and bullied by her classmates for not shaving her body hair, she later said there was "a lot of social pressure" and "it makes women feel indebted" when it comes to body hair.
And the number of women who agree with this action is increasing rapidly!
The hashtag “ #LesPrincessesOntDesPoils ” was the number one trending word in France at one point.
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Originally, humans grow hair in addition to the scalp and eyebrows.
because it is necessary. Why do we have to deal with the hair against the information that has been incorporated at the genetic level?
It's also women only. For some reason, men are allowed to have curly hair.
With that in mind, there is a growing tendency for even celebrities to upload photos of themselves with their hair still growing on social media.
"If you wear sleeveless, you have to shave your armpits."
"I can't wear a miniskirt without shaving my hair."
"It's not beautiful if you don't shave your facial hair."
I would be in trouble if my freedom was infringed on by such an idea.
Women grow hair too. Don't you think that being proud of your true appearance is the most beautiful form?
③ Models don't have to be thin
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In the fall of 2017, famous brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton issued statements that they would not use models who were too thin.
Many women think that models should be thin, and that thin women are more beautiful.
However, in the world, the movement that "too thin is not beautiful" is more trendy.
The beginning of the diet boom in the 70's.
The media supported the diet boom, saying that "thinness is beautiful", and apparel brands began to make only small-sized clothes that only thin people could wear.
In Europe and the United States, the number of anorexia patients, especially young women, increased sharply.
In particular, it became a harsh environment for models who are at the forefront of fashion, who are absolutely required to be thin.
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As a matter of course, among the models, women who were too thin due to eating disorders began to appear, and when it was announced to the public, it became a big problem.
Some models even died from being too thin or having an eating disorder.
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In 2012, following the death of a Brazilian model at the young age of 21, the editors-in-chief of Vogue magazine in 19 countries launched 'The Health Initiative' in a federation.
It was a decision not to adopt models who were too skinny.
Furthermore, in 2016, in France, it was compulsory for model activities to submit a doctor's certificate showing that they were of a healthy weight and physique, and in collections representing France and Spain, models with a BMI of 18 or less were not allowed to walk on the runway. I can no longer.
All to reduce eating disorders among young women.
Eating disorders rarely make big news in Japan, but they are by no means someone else's problem.
Rather, Japanese people still have a deep-rooted feeling that “being thin = beautiful”, and many women are trying to go on a strict diet without even realizing it, and they are getting too skinny.
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Do you have to be thin?
Can't you love your normal weight self?
My BMI is around 22-23. Free size clothes are enough.
Can't you do that?
Of course, there are people in the world who are struggling to gain weight.
However, even if it is above the standard now, it is not the place to aim for.
Taking care of your body is a great self-esteem.
Whether you're fat or skinny, value who you are now.
Pursuing excessive “thinness” not only hurts you, but it can also result in sadness for your family and people around you.
Love your body as it is.
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Of course, if your BMI is not above the standard and the man says, "Aren't you overweight? Why don't you lose weight?"
Be the person you can love the most, not the evaluation from others.
summary
Japan is a country with a deep-rooted conservative way of thinking compared to the rest of the world.
There are many people who just do it because everyone else does it, and it is also an environment where it is difficult to start new things or raise your voice because of the old custom of valuing TPO.
Of course, I hope that Japanese society as a whole will change to value each person's individuality more, but just because it's difficult doesn't mean you have to follow suit.
Self-esteem is important.
The opposite words of self-esteem are "inferiority" and "basement."
You don't have to underestimate yourself, even if you're fat, your sexuality is different, or you look strange.
Of course, that doesn't mean you should overestimate.
By accepting, appreciating, and cherishing yourself for who you are, the world you see will surely change and you will become more kind to others.
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May you be proud of yourself and love yourself.
