breaking free from body struggles
RELATIONSHIPS
WRITTEN BY CHARLOTTE PRICE
MARCH 23, 2025
My Journey to Self-Acceptance
Growing up as a dancer from the ages of 3 to 18, I was constantly surrounded by discussions about body image and diet culture. At the time, I never recognised it as an issue - those conversations were just part of the environment I was in. But looking back now, I can see how deeply they shaped my self-perception and relationship with my body.
As I got older, I found myself internally picking apart my appearance. I would follow strict, bizarre diets I read about in magazines or overheard from friends and family. I mirrored those around me, unknowingly adopting the same toxic habits that were so normalised in our society.
Despite all of this, I hold no resentment toward the people who influenced me during that time. I now understand that they, too, were victims of the unrealistic beauty standards imposed on us. We were all caught in the same cycle, believing that our worth was tied to our appearance.
In this article:
related articles
The Turning Point
The moment that truly changed everything for me came when I started traveling. Cliché, I know! Growing up, I never had the chance to travel abroad, so as soon as I started earning my own money, I was eager to explore the world. One particular trip to Indonesia with my boyfriend stands out. I remember wearing a bikini and spending an entire day at a breathtaking waterfall, without once worrying about how my body looked. I didn’t suck in my stomach, I didn’t try to pose perfectly for pictures, and I genuinely enjoyed the moment.
When I looked back at the photos from that day, I saw joy - not flaws. I had belly rolls, cellulite, and yet, none of it mattered. That day shifted something in my brain. I realised that there was so much more to life than obsessing over my appearance. I didn’t need to fixate on negative thoughts about myself; instead, I could work on shifting my mindset.
“Talk to yourself like someone you love.”
Sharing My Journey
After that revelation, I knew I wanted to share this incredible feeling with others. That’s when I started documenting my self-acceptance journey on social media. My goal was simple: to help other women see themselves in my story and understand that they didn’t have to hate their bodies just because they didn’t match airbrushed images in the media.
Around this time, I came across a quote that deeply resonated with me: “Talk to yourself like someone you love.” It hit me hard. I realised I would never scrutinise my mom’s cellulite or criticise my friend’s acne, so why was I being so cruel to myself? I had to become my own best friend. After all, I’m the one person who will be with me for the rest of my life. That was the moment I knew I had a lot of healing to do.
The Power of Journalling
One of the most transformative tools I’ve found in my journey is journalling. It’s free, accessible, and has helped me rewire my mindset, break free from toxic habits, and work through the parts of myself that needed healing. While it’s not always realistic to love yourself every single day, shifting towards self-acceptance, even neutrality, is a massive step in the right direction.
Today, I no longer let body image struggles rule my life. I choose to focus on the experiences, memories, and joys that make life truly fulfilling. And if my story can inspire even one person to be kinder to themselves, then it’s all been worth it.
about the author
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
I'm Charlotte Emily Price, a 26 year old living in London. I'm a Forensic Science Graduate but ended up pursuing social media as a career because of lockdown (completely by accident) where I now share videos to help other women accept their bodies, check in with their mental health, look after their overall wellbeing and my personal journey to endometriosis diagnosis.
charlotte
Check out these articles
-
![Woman in a white robe performing a facial exercise with hands on her cheeks, neutral background.]()
face yoga: the skincare secret you didn’t know you needed
WELLEBING
-
![Legs in purple high heels draped over a white bathtub against a pink textured background.]()
redefining wellbeing, together
COMMUNITY
-
![Woman standing in front of open wardrobe with clothes hanging]()
your wardrobe, your weapon: how personal style fuels confidence!
LIFESTYLE
