“I am empowered by showing the world my flaws and not being afraid of what anyone is going to say about me. It’s 2016. The body-shaming and slut-shaming — it’s like, enough is enough. I will not live my life dictated by the issues you have with my sexuality. You be you and let me be me.”
–Kim Kardashian West
This quote makes me want to give Kim Kardashian West a big kiss on her artificially plumped up lips! This is her reaction to the criticism of her latest naked selfie, which she posted via Instagram earlier this week. It’s a completely naked shot with black bars over her private parts and it oozes sexuality. It’s been her most controversial post yet and I could be cynical and hate that this is all about her branding and making her more money, but the truth is that I do find her actions to be empowering. Judge if you must.
Ah, the struggle that all of us have with body image. I feel like women, no matter what our size, all go through periods of body dislike. Maybe even loathe. I bet KK has her moments as well. I am sure she does. Of course she does. We all have flaws. Self-criticism is deeply engrained in our culture. I think that no matter how society perceives you, there will always be feelings of self-doubt. It sucks. It’s limiting. It’s human. It’s incredibly difficult to get past.
But in order to live a full, rewarding life, we have to find a way around this problem. All of us. The ability to embrace our body image and our sexuality is empowering. Is that easy? Of course not. Oh the time I have lost criticizing my own body, stepping on the scale, starving myself, hating my body, worrying what others think about it, squeezing my voluptuous body into a size too small. But as a woman in my mid-40’s I am finally embracing and loving my body. And breathing life in to my sexuality and my desires. It’s my time. It feels amazing.
Like her or hate her, Kim Kardashian knows how to give good selfie. We can all take a lesson from her camera angles, poses and filters. And I’m guessing we all don’t have the enhancements or assets Mrs. Kardashian West has but I think we can all take a cue from her in terms of owning our body image, our sexuality and making the most of it.
Here’s your homework this week. Take a semi-naked selfie. Work those camera angles. Use lighting and filters. And after you are done with your masterpiece, admire it. This is you. This is for you. It’s not necessary to share this with anyone… unless you want to! This is you. At your best. You are beautiful. You are gorgeous. Your are sexual. It is 2016 and we are not getting any younger. Time to embrace your fabulous self right now. And not care what anyone is going to say about you. You be you.
What do you think?