Society teaches women that they should hate themselves. Every woman has something fundamentally wrong with her — whether it’s her waist, her face, her breasts, or her bum. There are a million options for a woman to choose from when deciding what she will loathe about herself for the rest of her life. Hating your body has become an accepted and expected reality of womanhood. To understand how women’s insecurities have turned into a trillion-dollar industry, one must realize beauty standards in terms of class, race, age, and economics. Once you understand these concepts, it is easy to see that the industry that claims to support women’s self-confidence is little more than misogyny wrapped in a pretty pink bow.

The Effect of Class

For much of human history, the ideal woman was curvaceous and full-figured; love handles signified health and regular access to food. In ancient Rome, a fair complexion was ideal because it meant a woman did not have to labor outside. In ancient India, it was considered beautiful to have long, glossy hair — hair products were exclusive and expensive. The one thing all beauty standards have in common, past and present, is that they represent something only the wealthy can achieve. When only the rich can meet beauty standards that they themselves set, they automatically become the beautiful class. Until very recently, the rich were almost viewed as a different species of human. Wealthy people were considered the superior class because they had natural intelligence, beauty, and elegance that the poor simply did not have. For thousands of years, they dictated what was beautiful and what was not, so, of course, they made physical perfection something only they could achieve.

The Effect of Race

Racism has had, and continues to have, a significant impact on beauty standards. Granted, for much of human history, racism did not take the same form as it does today. The very concept of race didn’t formally emerge until the late sixteenth century (1). The Medium (2) notes that one of the ways colonialism retained its power from the very beginning was through implementing Eurocentric beauty standards: “Beauty standards weren’t merely aesthetic preferences — they were sophisticated tools of cultural domination that could achieve what armies alone could not. By systematically devaluing indigenous features while promoting European ideals as universal markers of civilization, colonizers created a psychological dependency that outlasted their political control.” Dr. Frantz Fanon (3) described this as ‘epidermalization’ — the internalization of racial hierarchies that led to self-hatred and cultural alienation. When one fundamentally hates their natural appearance and believes another group to be superior, they become easy targets for oppression. Beauty standards have been used as psychological oppression for both the poor and racial minorities for nearly 400 years, and these standards remain foundational to modern ideals.

The Effect of Age

In the 1950s, the ideal woman was a woman. She had a grown body, a mature face; she had a female body that had gone through puberty. But in the 1960s, with the rise of second-wave feminism (4), the United States saw the birth of childlike beauty standards. When women stopped acting like helpless children, the media stopped romanticizing women and started romanticizing helpless children. Suddenly, big eyes, small hands, smooth porcelain skin, petite bodies, and young blonde hair were in every magazine. Now, sixty years later, it is a trillion-dollar industry for women to look as young as possible. Women bleach their hair to mimic childhood, buy anti-wrinkle products to erase smile lines, and go on extreme diets to remain as thin as they were before puberty. This infantilization of girls’ bodies and minds has led to the vilification of women’s bodies and minds.

Love Yourself

Beauty standards are not harmless coincidences; they are well-thought-out and executed weapons. They are meant to elevate the rich and punish the poor. These standards intend to devalue and dehumanize whole cultures to glorify the colonial powers. At their most insidious, they attempt to make women hate themselves for simply aging. Every standard has been designed to control, shame, and keep women chasing an impossible fantasy that is not even their own. In a world of impossible standards, it is crucial to remember that they only hold power over you as long as you give them that power. Ignore them. Reject them. Remember, the strongest rebellion against these standards is loving yourself.

Citations

1. “The History of the Idea of Race.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 29 Aug. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/race-human/The-history-of-the-idea-of-race.
2. Sadat, Nazmus. “The Invisible Chains: How Colonial Beauty Standards Continue to Shape Our Mirror’s Reflection.” Medium, 30 Jun. 2025, https://medium.com/@sadat99/the-invisible-chains-how-colonial-beauty-standards-continue-to-shape-our-mirrors-reflection-c0d8f24f3081.
3. “Frantz Fanon | Biography, Writings, & Facts.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 29 Aug. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frantz-Fanon.
4. “Second Wave of Feminism | Definition, Goals, Accomplishments, Leaders, & Facts.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 22 Sept. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/second-wave-feminism.

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New Year Resolutions

The New Year is a time for reflection and improvement upon ourselves! Whether you want to focus on your physical or mental health, academics, or family this year, this list has you covered. These New Year resolutions are easy to implement so you can spark meaningful change in your life without much effort!

Health Journey

– Exercise
– Weight Loss
– Practice mindful eating
– Cook new goods

Mental Health

– Start journaling
– Gratitude journal
– Get Quality Sleep/Reset your sleep schedule
– Set specific career goals
– Read more books
– Create a budget you can stick to
– Deprioritize friendships that are not worth your time

School

– Find the study strategy that works best for you
– Improve your time management
– Don’t procrastinate
– Organize your papers
– Study a new topic that interests you
– Keep subjects separate from each other
– Figure out how to study without stressing yourself out!
– Make more genuine friends

Family

– Games without electronics
– Learn something new together
– Watch a movie together
– Take trips!

New Year resolutions: A final note

These New Year resolutions are sure to kick start an incredible year through living intentionally and working toward your goals. For more, check out this article on maintaining your New Year’s Resolution. Happy New Year! 

The post New Year Resolutions to Help You Thrive in 2025 appeared first on GirlSpring.

“A Marketer’s Dream”

I’ve indulged in skincare and clothes over the past two years. I was what some can refer to as “a marketers dream.” Any cleanser or mini skirt I saw, I’d immediately rush to Amazon to find it. It didn’t take long for me to buy the product and ditch it once I saw the next best thing.

After some reflection, I realized I was buying the image that had been advertised. All of the things associated with these products had an appealing aesthetic. More significantly, I saw a  perception that I wanted to imitate.

The Aspiration to Assimilate

That revelation prompted me to wonder in what other ways I practiced this behavior, and if anyone else could relate. It was that thought that made me recall my childhood and the images around me.

At a young age, I struggled with body image. I reduced this struggle to going through puberty. I assumed it was a “normal part of growing up.” I found that although these struggles were consistent with a plethora of over individuals, it is NOT normal, just normalized. Wanting to imitate a certain look isn’t a desire I developed two years ago, it is a behavior that has been produced since I could see. 

The downfall of perception is the aspiration to assimilate. When I was eight, I wanted to be a fashion designer like True Jackson VP (one of my favorite shows), and that was inspiring. But when I was nine, I wanted the thigh gap of Tori Vega, and that was discouraging.

Body Image is a Product

From that point on, I could not help but notice the shape of my body compared to others. As I looked around me, there were always weight loss program commercials on TV, and my mom’s magazines only had one body type across the pages. The main characters on TV shows, my dolls, and the celebrity promotion of eating disorders and “perfection” created a depiction of what beauty was in my mind.

What I didn’t know is that this is intentional. If I felt like I had to be a certain size to be palatable, I’d also have to buy the new weight loss drink, a waist trainer, or an appetite suppressant. All of this just to appeal to the beauty standard. The business of body image allows marketers and advertisers to decide what beauty is. That way, they can sell young women on any trend or any product that promises flawlessness. 

Since then, I have changed the language of how I buy. Instead of asking myself, where can I purchase this item? Or do I measure up to the image advertised? I ask myself why am I seeing this advertisement?

What am I being sold on? Is this essential to my happiness? I encourage all young women to question or challenge the images we see. It is more important to consume reality than perfect little images.

Check out more body image articles by GirlSpring contributors!

The post Perfect Little Images: Body Image with Concentration in Consumerism appeared first on GirlSpring.

As someone who does not have the time, energy, or expertise to style my hair, this has been my holy grail. I purchased the Revlon Pro Collection Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer and have used it every day since. It gives the voluminous look of rollers while saving you the time and uncomfortable wear. I also like to use it when my hair is in need of a wash day, because it gives it some much needed volume!

Heatless Curl Set – 8/10

Another hair tool that saves time and energy, except this one also saves you the heat damage! Normal hot curling tools severely damage hair over time and are seriously inconvenient in the morning. Heatless curls, however, are efficient, can be slept in, and are thus easily accessible in satin.

I personally use the Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set, which includes two satin scrunchies to hold my hair in place, although I do use a claw clip to hold the rod in place when I initially begin wrapping my hair. The process does initially take a while to master, but after a while becomes a great alternative!

Shaving Oil – 7.5/10

In a world where it feels like the most efficient shaving tools are made for men, a good women’s shaving product is worth talking about. After purchasing shaving oil for the first time, I can definitely say I do not see myself ever going back to any other method.

I spontaneously purchased the Tree Hut Moisturizing Shave Oil while it was on sale; I avoid paying full price in case it was not effective, but now I have no problem continuing to purchase it, because this is definitely worth it! (Keep in mind that body hair is normal and removing it is completely optional, so do not feel pressured to do so!)

Owala Water Bottle – 10/10

Even though it’s simple, this water bottle has possibly been one of my favorite purchases of all time. Featuring a lid that allows you to either drink out of a straw or turn it up to drink it, and a design that fits into a cup holder, it ensures that you enjoy the most convenient and efficient water drinking experience.

The double lock allows you not to worry about it spilling, plus, it doubles as a handle which makes it easy to carry around no matter what else you have in your hands. 

P.S. the variety of color combinations and only add to the fun!

Click here to find more beauty products you can find for cheap!

The post The Internet Made Me Buy It – Popular Products I Recommend appeared first on GirlSpring.

   The first thing that pops into people’s minds when they think about hair is the hair on their heads. It is body hair, but it’s not what people think of when the specifying adjective “body” is placed in front of it. If we were to go one step further and question not only what hair does but what body hair does, most people would likely mention its ability to protect us from heat or the environment. This notion of body hair isn’t wrong; that surface knowledge was the extent of my understanding before I dug deeper. The cool thing is that hair has a plethora of usages and benefits that most people are unaware of and take advantage of daily. From the smallest hairs we tend to overlook, such as eyebrow or nostril hair, these specialized hairs prevent dust, dirt, and water from entering our eyes and filter out the pollutants we encounter. Further, scalp hairs protect us from UV rays and stabilize brain temperature.

What is the Purpose of Body Hair?

    Many people see hair solely for maintenance purposes or for its cosmetic use or removal, but it provides several useful functions for humans. Hair itself is vital in determining biological problems that humans face. The hair follicle plays a role in epidermal homeostasis (a renewal process of the cells that provide new cells that are lost during tissue turnover or after a wound), wound healing, and tumorigenesis, the formation of cancer, whereby normal cells turn into cancerous cells.

    Out of primates, humans are considered the most hairless, yet similar to elephants and rhinoceroses. Elephants and rhinoceroses spend their time in the water to cool off, so thick hair is not required to regulate their temperature. It triggers an understandable question: Why do humans not have much hair compared to their counterparts in the family kingdom? The question is flawed since humans possess similar “amounts” of body hair. The coarseness of human body hair differs due to the environment and evolution of the human body.

   As to the reason why humans no longer have such thick hair anymore, theories suggest that it was to adapt to keeping out parasites that enjoyed thicker hair or fur covering, or thicker fur no longer served a purpose as humans walked on two feet and revealed only 1/3rd of their body to sunlight (a theory known as bipedalism). As for the current state of human body hair, scientists have concluded that hair grows thicker on our heads, genital areas, and underarms to regulate and provide protection in those sensitive places. Most commonly noted, body hair helps with thermoregulation, and humans have an internal mechanism that allows the body to regulate the temperature. Unfortunately, it is much less effective compared to other mammals. Hence, the reason the process of evolution provided humans with less thicker body hair is to allow human bodies to regulate themselves through sweat (since sweat doesn’t get trapped in thicker hair). 

Why We Should Know The Purpose and Importance of Body Hair.

    Understanding the purpose of body hair is essential to empower people to have autonomy over their bodily functions and destigmatize the negative connotations of having body hair. Especially for women, it’s crucial to stop society from weaponizing a normal and essential body part. It prompts curiosity and a burning question for many: Why does body hair covering differ between men and women? This question haunted my younger self. That young girl felt like she was an abnormality for having body hair “like a man” when that whole rhetoric was flawed in the first place. 

The Judgement of Female Body Hair

    I distinctly remember standing in line with my classmates, inside the hallway, and waiting outside the gym before we went inside for P.E. I turned around to talk with my friend, but for some reason, a classmate right behind her felt the need to interject. He pointed out that my upper lip looked too dark and that girls don’t have mustaches. I remember shame flooding me immediately, and my brain went blank. What was I supposed to say? Instantly, thoughts flooded with agreement over it being weird that I had a “mustache.” Why was mine so much darker compared to all my white friends? Was there something wrong with me? There has to be, or else why would he go out of his way to point it out? I was just a kid. I wasn’t able to have a perception of my own body at that time. It took one single comment for me to hold that negative perception of myself and beg my mom to remove that “abnormality” when it was never one to begin with. If it wasn’t the mustache, it was the hairy arms. If it wasn’t the hairy arms, it was the hairy legs.

    My 9-year-old self carried that shame until she was old enough to get her upper lip threaded and shave her arms and legs. It felt unfair that my white peers possessed the same hair on their upper lips, arms, and legs, but because of its light hue, nobody felt the need to point it out. It took me years to get to a position where I was okay with my body hair, let alone proud of it. But, this criticism didn’t spare my white counterparts later as the white friends I knew became criticized for having body hair likewise more prevalently as society changed their tune as they went from innocent young girls to “rebellious” teenage girls. Sickeningly, this ascension in maturity warranted and justified hatred and “well-intentioned” comments from their female and male counterparts. The shame and embarrassment spared no girl then and spares no woman in our society today.

Everyone Has Body Hair

    Everyone has body hair. Body hair grows more densely in men and women because of the hormones called androgens that men possess more than women. These hormones cause men to grow thicker facial hair and chest hair. And, while it is important to note that women with “less” body hair or visible facial hair became desired traits and led to increased hairlessness in women, women naturally grow and have facial/body hair.

   Women have body hair because they are humans, and all humans possess facial and body hair. Some women may have thicker body hair than deemed standard because of differences in hormone production of androgens depending on genetic factors.

   Genetics determine individual levels of androgen and why there is a difference in body hair among people irrespective of gender or race. Logically, people realize that certain ethnicities exhibit darker hair, different hair types, and different facial features. Yet, for some reason, this becomes a problem in understanding and applying that to women’s facial hair. The bottom line of body hair and facial hair growth is that everyone grows it, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s more visible for some people. Body hair is normal, and it shouldn’t matter whether someone cares to keep or get rid of it.

Body Hair is Completely Normal

    Society fails to mention that body hair is normal. It doesn’t teach children that their body hair carries vital roles. Does it fall on the education system to teach people not to stigmatize body hair, or is it a personal responsibility? People are free to shave or maintain their body hair. And yes, It’s nobody else’s responsibility or business what a person decides to do with their hair. Yet, it would be a lie to ignore the fact that society drives a harmful narrative of having body hair, especially for women. Many young girls are othered and made fun of for having body hair. Society forces these young girls to change themselves and operate under the values of the patriarchy.

   A common stance is that it’s impossible to control what people say. Though, we should stop and question why anyone would make those comments in the first place. Why would a kid cruelly bully another kid for something they can’t control unless they felt threatened by it? Humans tend to fear and demonize the things that they view as weird or don’t know a lot about. Nobody can control what another person says, but people can choose to normalize things or stigmatize them.

   Body hair is only demonized for women because many people think that women shouldn’t have it or that they don’t even grow it. People who manage to fit the ideal of hairlessness and don’t feel the need to say anything are part of the problem. This bystander effect has driven countless atrocities and discrimination simply because society normalized it, and some people were able to benefit from it. Just because women have internalized and operated under the idea of body hair being unconventional and “manly” for so many years doesn’t mean future generations have to go through the same thing.

To Remove or Not To Remove Body Hair Is Your Choice

    Additionally, others will say that if people have the means to remove their body hair, why wouldn’t they remove it? People should question who came up with these requirements in the first place. This constant chase for approval may make a person happy at first. But, the fickle nature of society shows time and time again that approval changes to quick and brutal criticisms as soon as a person deviates from the expected rules.

   It’s no one’s responsibility to build a person’s self-esteem or prevent people from being mean to others but to encourage critical thinking about why something is considered taboo and dismantle people’s misconceptions. Instead of forcing half the population to be ashamed of a natural part of being human, why not educate everyone and empower people to be proud? In doing this, it would make a person’s choice to remove body hair and keep it both acceptable.

   It should be allowed for a woman, a human being, to choose whatever choice and be able to live her life comfortably and unashamedly. Am I able to, and will I still shave my arms and legs? Yes. Will I be embarrassed when I have visible hair on my arms and legs when I don’t shave? No. Whether I choose to remove my body hair or let it be, it will never change my femininity or affect my authenticity. And that’s the way it should be for everyone. 

Works Cited:

 “Yesudian P. Human hair – an evolutionary relic? Int J Trichology. 2011 Jul;3(2):69. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.90799. PMID: 22223962; PMCID: PMC3250022.”

Cerini, Marianna. “Why Women Feel Pressured to Shave.” CNN, Cable News Network, 3 Mar. 2020, www.cnn.com/style/article/why-women-feel-pressured-to-shave.

The post Consider “Body Hair” appeared first on GirlSpring.

What does it mean to be Granola?

“Granola” a label floating around since the Tumblr days, is used to describe the typical free spirited, nature-loving people we know. In an effort to encourage sustainability, many people labeled as “Granola” wear whatever could be the opposite of fast fashion. Colorful wool sweaters, earth-colored hefty pants. I fell in love with the priority of comfort and color that shines in each of the Pinterest Granola posts I see and could even see this style in my own closet. I was happy to see myself as part of this lifestyle because I believed that the “aesthetic” went a little deeper than what they wear. 

Besides taking care of the planet with their fashion choices, Granola girls are known for seeking and protecting the beauty in our environment. They carry their reusable water bottles everywhere. They have a garden in their backyard.

To any reader older than 30, this may sound a little familiar.

Hippies, those part of the counterculture movement in the 70s, held a similar style, pursuing sustainability, but most importantly peace and a stop to the war. They strayed from the mainstream culture, and condemned the materialism that had consumed the US.

As modern hippies, the Granola girls stray from the typical priorities of our generation too. Though their trips are well documented through digital or disposable cameras, many Granola people preach a lessening of dependence on unhealthy screen time. To them, life is all about living in the present and finding beauty within themselves instead of in comparison to others. At the same time, they encourage taking care of their body, having fun with activity and eating well. Overall, Granola is living with intentionality and gratitude. You are intentional with your lifestyle choices and grateful for what you have. In those in my life that I have related to this aesthetic, I see neverending kindness and warmth. 

This sounds great, right?

Being Careful with Aesthetics

I realized that my infatuation for the aesthetic was based on a need for a label. Labels are like the ultimate comfort blanket. They give us community, an identity, a guide for how to approach the world. On the surface, this seems like a dream. But as a guide for how to act and who to be, labels lack greatly in further self-discovery. I will always have an appreciation for the “Granola Girl” aesthetic, for exposing me to resources such as sustainable clothing stores and National parks near me. But the aesthetic can exist without the label of “Granola.” I can be warm and kind, environmentally conscious and adventurous, but I can also stay home, enjoy television…appreciate citylife.

After all, as Taylor Swift says, “We are a Patchwork Quilt.” And the more patches there are, the prettier the quilt may be. 

Read more on different kinds of vibes shared by Girl Spring contributors TG and Caprielle Eden on the Preppy and Dark Academia aesthetics!

The post My thoughts on the “Granola Girl” aesthetic appeared first on GirlSpring.

*The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

What is an eating disorder? 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Approximately 20 million women and girls and 10 million men and boys in America have an eating disorder.” An eating disorder is a severe mental health issue defined by irregular eating patterns. There are significant physical and psychological repercussions, and thus entails a prolonged change in eating habits or behaviors, including limiting food intake, binge eating, or purging. Whereas people mistakenly stereotype young girls as the only victims, these complicated illnesses can affect anyone of any age, gender, or background.

Your issues matter, don’t downplay your symptoms

Moreover, it is a complex mental illness, it is not a simple matter of willpower or personal preference. Eating disorders are health conditions that can lead to unhealthy eating habits, deep dissatisfaction with appearance, and negative body image. 

 Symptoms of eating disorders

• Significant weight changes: Whether someone gains or loses weight depends on their condition. Anorexic individuals may rapidly lose a lot of weight. However, bulimic individuals may experience a fluctuation in weight due to *binging and purging *(overeating). 

• Distorted body image: People with eating disorders may perceive themselves as overweight or obese, even when they are underweight or at a healthy weight. Their overall definition of “ideal” is skewed and does not align with healthy eating standards. 

• Obsession with food and calories: Spending excessive amounts of time your planning meals, restricting meals, refusing to eat high-calorie food, or counting calories are possible signs of an eating disorder. 

• Restrictive eating patterns: Labeling foods, refusing to eat foods one perceived as “bad” and/or ignoring your body’s hunger cues are signs of restrictive eating. 

• Binge eating: Feeling a lack of control over your body and appetite and over consuming food quickly. For example, eating an 8-inch cake in under 5 minutes. This practice is often followed by guilt, regret, and self-deprecation. 

• Social withdrawal and isolation: Struggling to eat around others and refusing to go out your with friends and family because you don’t feel comfortable eating around them is another sign. 

• Excessive exercise: Exercising too much to compensate for calories consumed by eating is another unhealthy behavior many eating disorder patients show. Your brain deals with the stress, guilt, and regret of eating “too many” calories by exercising too much. 

• Secretive behavior around food: Another symptom of having unsafe relations with food is eating, especially eating “unhealthy” food in secret to curb negative reactions from others. 

• Mood Fluctuations: Eating disorders can cause you depression, high irritability, and make you want to be alone more often. 

• Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals: Oftentimes, you try to purge soon after eating so that you don’t digest the food. 

• Physical changes: You may experience chapped lips, grayed skin, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, hair loss, dry skin, brittle nails, constipation, irregular menstrual periods, and low body temperature.

What are the different types of eating disorders? 

• Anorexia nervosa: The struggle with eating enough to feed your body. 
• Bulimia nervosa: Binging large quantities of food in a short period of time, but purging before you digest the food. The difference between bulimia and BED is that bulimic individuals try to purge after eating by exercising or forcing themselves to vomit, while BED individuals don’t do this.
• Binge eating disorder (BED): Consuming large quantities of food quickly feeling unable to stop. Feeling guilt, shame, and regret after eating.
• Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED): The diagnosis for those who do not fit the symptoms of other eating disorders. OSFED can include diagnoses such as night eating (NES) and atypical anorexia (AED). 

What causes eating disorders? 

Usually, eating disorders are the result of various factors. Below is a list of some factors that can cause an eating disorder. Please realize that an eating disorder is called an illness because it’s not in your control. Therefore, if someone gets diabetes, we don’t blame that person. Instead we try to understand the cause, treatment, and make a plan for prevention. Thus, eating disorders are in no one’s control, so the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones is to see a doctor and start treatment. 

Possible Causes: 

• Genetics
• Brain biology
• Cultural and social ideals
• Mental health issues (anxiety, depression, and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder)
• A history of trauma (physical, emotional, or sexual). 
• History of dieting 

How can I prevent an eating disorder?

• Start seeing a psychiatrist – A medical professional can provide assistance in giving you a healthier relationship with food, yourself, as well as your body. 
• Quit over-exercising 
• Eat three meals a day 
• Quit using laxatives to induce vomit
• Avoiding labeling food as good or bad
• Join organizations that are passionate about helping those with eating disorders. Below are some examples: 
  • Love Our Bodies, Love Ourselves! A movement by the Provincial Eating Disorders Awareness (PEDAW) campaign
  • Jessie’s Legacy Eating Disorders Prevention & Awareness Program
  • The Looking Glass Foundation for Eating Disorders
  • National Eating Disorders Association
  • National Alliance for Eating Disorders
  • National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
  • FEAST
  • Project HEAL

When should I see a doctor? 

Firstly, when you see the symptoms listed above in yourself or a loved one, please seek medical attention. Eating disorders are not as simple as food choices or dieting, they are complex medical conditions that can cause severe problems if left untreated. 

Secondly, ask yourself, what are the treatments for eating disorders? 

Thirdly, since eating disorders diagnoses vary significantly, the treatment plans are also varied. Most programs include medical, psychological, and nutritional approaches. The individual may need to be on medication, hospitalized (if the condition is severe), or work with a medical professional to help improve their relationship with food and their body.

Don’t be afraid to speak up if you think you have an eating disorder. Click here to read how you can embrace your beautiful body as you are.

The post Knowing About Eating Disorders appeared first on GirlSpring.

After weightlifting somewhat consistently for the last several months, I’ve felt exposed to a new world that I wish to encourage for many more girls to explore.

But how do you start anyway? 

1. Preparation is key

When we approaching the unfamiliar and us girls having always been told to keep an open mind, doing research and preparing for what will provide your confidence at the gym is the best way to start!

Start by researching the very basics, such as where you can work out, what machines work on which muscle groups, and what equipment you will need. Also start by lookong up how to do certain exercises and how long you must rest in between them. After researching the basics, begin building a workout plan that is personal to you.

2. Make a schedule and stick to it!

Workout plans revolve around how much time you are willing to give and what you are hoping to achieve. Most workout sessions range between one to two hours, but I happen to commit to about three gym sessions a week.

Once you’ve determined how often you would like to go, I always encourage looking for workout plans that are already written out online. Typically, these plans separate the week into a day for lower body, upper body, and core or cardio – whichever you prefer. If you start beginning a plan one day and don’t feel it, it’s okay to try others. It won’t take too long to figure out what works best for you!

3. Practice makes perfect

To make the most out of lifting, it is crucial to practice good form. Having and maintaining accurate form prevents injury, and ensures that the exercise is working properly. The muscle groups you’re targeting are what you should be affecting!

I was lucky enough to have my brother as a sort of trainer, he guided me, showing me proper form and technique, I also watched videos and visual demonstrations of exercises to make sure I was doing them correctly. Good form makes you feel good, so do not pass on it!

Quick Tip:

Going with a friend or sibling to the gym provides you with company and doubles as both a bodyguard and a hype person. My favorite sessions have been with others who are encouraging and ease me through anxieties that come with being in a public place. Choose safety, choose fun!

Final Thoughts

Us girls have generally shied away from the gym growing up due to the intimidation, or just the fear of being “unfeminine.” Regardless of all those things, I’m happy to see this belief being battled by numerous female role models in the fitness industry.

Lifting weights has provided me with experiences with other girls and is making me love my body in a new way. I love being strong! 

You are strong too, and you belong! Go get those gains!

Click here to check out the benefits of weight lifting!

The post Weight Lifting for Newbies appeared first on GirlSpring.

Target has the cutest swimsuits and they are not very expensive. They last long,  have a huge variety of styles, and you can even mix and match pieces! There are perfect bathing suits for all body types, which I also love, because every body is a swimsuit body!

They have sleek and shiny suits, tropical patterns, and even crocheted suits for everyone.

Aerie 

I love Aerie and everything they stand for. They have the coolest styles and you can usually catch them on sale! I love this brand and I love how they celebrate every body type. 

If you sign up for their email, you’ll get an additional 10% off an order on top of their 50% off sale going on right now.

Cupshe

I was semi-skeptical about this brand because of their higher prices so I ordered a bathing suit for myself and I loved it! They have many colorful sets and the price didn’t end up breaking my bank. I love their swimsuits and they are really good quality!

They have high waisted styles, one shoulder, strapless, and one piece suits, along with super cute jumpsuits and cover ups you can mix and match.

Click here to see how you can match cute summer jewelry to your adorable swimsuit sets!

The post My go-to Brands for Swimsuit Season appeared first on GirlSpring.

Whether you know it or not, every girl, every person, has a problem, and nowadays you can blame society for it. Yeah, I know that sounds weird but it’s true, nobody is perfect, and whoever you see on a glowing screen isn’t perfect either.

News Flash! The trick is to be confident, so yes, still care about your personal hygiene, but don’t care about the color, length, or style of your hair. Love yourself no matter your flaws, because as much as you might hate yourself, you’re stuck with you. You got the confidence part down? No? I didn’t think so, here are some bite sized advice to help: 100% TTT {Tried, tested, and true}

1. Don’t tell anyone your crushes

I know it’s hard and I know the feeling of feeling like your going to burst with your secret, but to be honest, if you don’t tell anyone, there’s no chance of him or her knowing behind your back. It feels much worse then your I’m-gonna-burst-with-my-secret-feeling. Much, much worse, and embarrassing.

2. Don’t follow trends you don’t want to

It’s hard trying to know if you truly want something or if it’s just a fad rubbing of on you, but at the end of the day, you’ll know and if you really want it you’ll wait a couple months and it will be much cheaper in most cases. Also ,I know it’s hard not to be pressured by friends or classmates, but to be honest, some fads aren’t that cool when you look back.

3. Rule out the toxic friends

Yep, we are at that point where you might have been in a situation where someone says, “{your name}, I don’t want to be friends with you anymore. You’re too toxic for me.” Half of the time, they’re not “breaking up” with you because you’re toxic, but because there still are toxic friends; I’ve had them too. One even chucked a flashlight at me and said, “I’m done with you and all this drama, Zoe!,” when I  confronted her of being mean to me and a friend, while she was sticking her head in all the drama we had, even though nobody wanted her there. Then she ran up a hill and started singing some song. Yep…

To get to my point, toxic friends are people who don’t love you for who you are or look like and only are friends with you for their own gain {a free trip to the mall, popularity, or free stuff}. When you get to the point where you are going to confront a toxic friend, don’t call them toxic, because in my experience that will just give them something to gossip about.

4. Don’t let others determine your worth

This happens to every girl, someone will come along, a friend, a teacher, even a parent or guardian, and they will tell her what they think she’s worth. Whether it’s a good or bad thing, someone always believes this. The trick is to block that out of your head, because you are the only one who can determine your worth, and after you read this I hope you realize you are priceless, worth bazillions, even trillions!

5. Care for yourself

Caring for yourself doesn’t mean a jade roller or a $150 dollar skincare routine, it means taking a shower, wearing clean clothes, and paying attention to your bodily needs! Then afterwards, think about a skincare routine, mine is $40 dollars for a complete set and it’s really good quality. While you’re young you don’t feel effective on how you treat your body, but 10, 20, 30 years from now who knows!? You’re worth so, so much! Would the Louvre just chuck the Mona Lisa around? No! Take care of yourself!!!

6. Be trustworthy

You should be able to have a decent amount of trust if you want to have friends that tell you secrets. Show them that you care and don’t spill their secrets! Then they will trust you and respect you {I know that sounds weird but it’s so true!}

7. Be a good friend

I know we’ve covered toxic friends and trustworthy friends, but this is super important! A friend wants to know you care about them and that you understand, so if you want to make friends you have to be friendly to everybody, yes, even that kid {you know who I’m talking about!}.

When you get into middle school and high school, your friends will be dating, and to be a true friend you need to be there! {I’m not encouraging you to} Be there when your friend’s so stressed she wants to skip class! In high school, it’s literally a whole new world! You won’t know anybody unless a friend goes to the same school, but in most high schools, it’s hard to stick together. Having a likeable personality is like gold.

8. Coping with stress

School gives us stress, friends produce stress, influencers produce stress, and parents produce stress. I could go on and on, so I’ll stick to the basics. Stress is real. Mental breakdowns are real.. Some things that helped me cope with stress were to first identify how I would unconsciously cope. That might be stress eating or self-punishment. Second, I would try to created healthy ways to cope, like venting into painting, journaling, and writing. Third, I would tell someone, whether that be a trusted friend or an adult that I knew would stay with me on the journey.

9. Knowing your true self

So many people I have known have hurt themselves when they don’t know who they are and let others determine who they are. First, you need to realize you’re loved by someone, and that means that you’re worth something in someone’s life, thus then go on from there. I know this sounds silly, but affirmations help.

“I am loved,” “I am kind,” “I am worth so much.”

Thanks so much for reading! I hope this helped you realize that you are not alone in whatever you struggle with and that these methods help you. I feel like today, with so much influence from a world a lot of us don’t know, so many girls feel worthless because they have flaws. I’d hate for our generation to be raised like that. Lots of Love to whoever’s on the other side of the screen! You are not alone!!!!

Click here to see how Girl Spring contributor Caroline Whitney writes about staying true to yourself when society constantly throws labels at us.

The post Tackling What Society Throws At Us appeared first on GirlSpring.