How often do you catch your reflection in a mirror, only to be flooded with criticisms and shame about the way you look? Maybe you find yourself feeling uncomfortable in your own skin and not feeling like the person you are on the outside reflects who you are on the inside. But no matter how hard you try to change, it never feels like enough. You still find harsh words to hurl at the reflection in the mirror in hopes that will make something different.

Body image perception – or in other words, the way you see and attribute meaning to your body and appearance – often shows up in shame, self-criticism, and avoidance. You feel like you are less likable or even less worthy of love because of how your body has changed over the years. You stop doing things you love or wearing things that express who you are simply because you are afraid of the judgment (by yourself or others).