ESTRADA, CELLINA MHAE S.

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF - BA1A

20231139654 10 /04/2023

THE PHYSICAL SELF

What is physical self and how does it develop? Explain how we acquire physical
appearance? Explain how our physical appearance affect our self-esteem? Our
body image inevitably accompany thoughts about ourselves. Where do they
come from, and how do they affect our attitudes and behavior? How do we
develop positive body image and enhance self-esteem?

Physical self refers to the physical body of a person, including external and internal
organs which helps the body to function properly. As a person gets older, his body also
ages and matures. Its ability to function also changes as it performs less from infancy,
reaches its peak during early adulthood and declines once it reaches middle age.
Additionally, not only our physical body changes but also our behaviors as we undergo
puberty. The rapid changes on our body often affects our sensitivity too as we become
more conscious of our body and appearance which creates new problems.

Physical appearance, on the other hand, is how other people see us. It is the traits
that others can observe such as our skin color, body type, hairstyle, height, and clothes.
Our appearance can actually show others what kind of person we are. It is acquired
through heredity; a biological process of inheriting the traits of our parents. As we age
and our body develops, it could also be affected by environmental factors such as
acquiring diseases, change of diet and nutrition which could change our appearance.

As said in the first paragraph, our appearance actually influences or affects our body
image, our sensitivity, and our confidence in ourselves. Especially to adolescents who're
greatly pressured by the beauty standards set by the society in order to fit in the
community. Additionally, media also played a big role in setting the beauty standards by
creating and showing a seemingly "perfect" men and women through advertisements,
movies, and other forms of media, thus, constructing the notion that one should be thin
and has curves to be labeled sexy and appealing, and has a perfect face shape and
features to be called pretty. These beauty standards has created a big problem for
everyone which, some of these, are dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and self-doubt.
These made people become less appreciative of others and question their self-worth to
the point that some even underwent cosmetic surgery to modify their physical
appearance just to fit in. What's more sad is that, cosmetic surgery, is now slowly being
normalized.

We can develop a positive body image and enhance self esteem by accepting who
we are first. Knowing that each person came from different places, cultures and has
different nationalities, therefore, also having different physical appearances is what
makes each of us beautifully unique. Second is by finding ways to develop and improve
ourselves through self care. As everyday is a new chance to be better, let's not sit still in
the past but look ahead to something that we can become; a better version of
ourselves. Acquiring self-acceptance and self-worth will grant us self-respect and love
which we can also give to others by appreciating them too. After all, we cannot give
something that we don't have.