Katrina Kaif has lengthy been admired for her magnificence and confidence, however behind the flawless red-carpet appearances and beautiful journal covers, the Bollywood star has battled her internal critic.
“I’d usually look within the mirror and assume, Oh my god, my face appears chubby at present,” she admitted candidly in a latest Vogue India interview. “However another person may see you and assume you look unbelievable. 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 together with her model, Kay Magnificence, which champions inclusivity and encourages girls to have a good time their uniqueness. “I bear in mind being 16 and studying Vogue,” she remembers. “It’s how I discovered about magnificence and the place I first recognised the significance of not perpetuating stereotypes. That’s change into so essential to me over time as a result of I’ve gone by my very own battles with self-acceptance.”
Why can we wrestle 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 actually erode self-worth, resulting in disgrace, avoidance behaviors, or extreme preoccupation with perceived flaws,” she says.
One of many largest hurdles? The assumption that self worth is tied to look. “Your price 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 lease you could 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 internal critic (Supply: Instagram/@katrinakaif)
Breaking free: Methods to beat detrimental self-talk
So, how can we silence that internal critic? Tendulkar shares some highly effective mindset shifts:
🔹 Shift the main focus from look to self-experience. As an alternative of asking, How do I look? ask, How do I really feel in my physique at present?
🔹 See your self as a complete particular person, not only a physique. You might be greater than only a nostril, thighs, or pores and skin texture—you’re a advanced, useful human being.
🔹 Observe self-compassion. “Deal with your self with the identical kindness you’d provide a pal battling 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?
✅ Substitute with a Balanced Thought. As an alternative of I look horrible at present, attempt I don’t love how I look at present, however my look doesn’t outline me.
Disgrace about look thrives in secrecy and comparability—nevertheless it loses energy after we reclaim our narrative.
Listed here are a number of methods to interrupt free from poisonous physique beliefs:
✔️ Title it to tame it. Say aloud: I really feel insecure about my ___ at present, 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 day by day.
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And most significantly—cease chasing perfection. “Self-love isn’t about at all times feeling stunning,” Tendulkar says. “It’s about loving your self even if you don’t.”