Katrina Kaif has lengthy been admired for her magnificence and confidence, however behind the flawless red-carpet appearances and gorgeous journal covers, the Bollywood star has battled her inside critic.
“I’d usually look within the mirror and assume, Oh my god, my face appears chubby at the moment,” she admitted candidly in a current Vogue India interview. “However another person would possibly see you and assume you look incredible. That self-criticism is what I’m engaged on—reminding myself to be kinder.”
For the actor-entrepreneur, self-acceptance has been a private journey deeply intertwined along with her model, Kay Magnificence, which champions inclusivity and encourages ladies to have fun their uniqueness. “I bear in mind being 16 and studying Vogue,” she recollects. “It’s how I realized about magnificence and the place I first recognised the significance of not perpetuating stereotypes. That’s turn into so essential to me over time as a result of I’ve gone by my very own battles with self-acceptance.”
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Why will we battle with detrimental self-talk?
Counselling psychologist Priyamvada Tendulkar explains that detrimental self-talk about bodily look is deeply ingrained in societal conditioning, previous experiences, and private insecurities. “It could erode self-worth, resulting in disgrace, avoidance behaviors, or extreme preoccupation with perceived flaws,” she says.
One of many greatest hurdles? The assumption that self worth is tied to look. “Your value will not be depending on the way you look, how a lot you weigh, or whether or not you meet societal magnificence requirements,” Tendulkar emphasises. “Fairly will not be the hire you might want to pay to exist on this world as a feminine,” she says, paraphrasing American lexicographer Erin McKean’s quote.
The Bollywood star has battled her personal inside critic (Supply: Instagram/@katrinakaif)
Breaking free: Methods to beat detrimental self-talk
So, how will we silence that inside critic? Tendulkar shares some highly effective mindset shifts:
🔹 Shift the main target from look to self-experience. As an alternative of asking, How do I look? ask, How do I really feel in my physique at the moment?
🔹 See your self as an entire particular person, not only a physique. You’re greater than only a nostril, thighs, or pores and skin texture—you’re a complicated, precious human being.
🔹 Follow self-compassion. “Deal with your self with the identical kindness you’d supply a good friend combating physique picture points,” she advises.
She additionally highlights the ability of reframing detrimental ideas:
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✅ Catch the Thought. Pause and ask: Is that this factual or simply conditioned negativity?
✅ Exchange with a Balanced Thought. As an alternative of I look horrible at the moment, strive I don’t love how I look at the moment, however my look doesn’t outline me.
Disgrace about look thrives in secrecy and comparability—however it loses energy once we reclaim our narrative.
Listed below are a couple of methods to interrupt free from poisonous physique beliefs:
✔️ Title it to tame it. Say aloud: I really feel insecure about my ___ at the moment, and that’s okay. Acknowledging the sensation reduces its energy.
✔️ Use self-expression as pleasure, not correction. Trend, make-up, or styling must be about having enjoyable—not fixing your self.
✔️ Shift from objectification to performance. As an alternative of How does my physique look? Ask what superb issues my physique does for me daily.
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And most significantly—cease chasing perfection. “Self-love isn’t about at all times feeling lovely,” Tendulkar says. “It’s about loving your self even if you don’t.”