We live in a very individualistic culture and because of that how we see ourselves is very important. Self-esteem and body image are both things that many people obsess over, and as much as I try to deny it, I do too. As kids we don't really think about ourselves in the same way as we do as teenagers and adults. For example as a kid, my biggest concerns were that I didn't get to have name brand stuff like many of my school mates or that I wasn't growing boobs by the 5th or 6th grade like other girls. Then as a teen I was a teeny-tiny 100lb thing, I could eat enough for 4 people and not gain a pound, my clothes were so small that a friend once referred to them as "doll clothes", and I was continually being told how cute and little I was. And I took all the positive for granted. For me I was never good enough, never "hot enough", didn't have the flattest abs or best physique. Boys didn't like me like they did other girls. My nose was too big. My chest was too small. My hair wasn't pretty enough... and on and on and on. Superficial and ridiculous. But have I really changed all that much as an adult?
Probably not.
