Be objective. This is perhaps the most difficult, because I’m so engrossed in my own subjective truth about myself, but with time, energy, and patience, it’s possible. This has been the biggest help, next to my tattoos. I may feel like I weigh hundreds of pounds, and I may see an obese woman looking back at me in the mirror, but my scale and the tags on my clothes tell a different story.

Fake it til you make it. Now, I’ve never had self-confidence, but I guarantee that most people who know me would be shocked by that. I learned early on that people found the perceptions I had of myself tiring, irksome and unattractive. So, I faked confidence, which helped me to become pleasant to be around, and it even helped me to feel better.

I still have my quirks, and my obsessions, but I also have my rules. Stay away from the scale, limited mirror time, limited time with my tweezers, and don’t talk it to death. Talking can help, but it’s tiring for people to constantly listen to my issues, it’s depressing. Healthy actions, prayer, objectivity, and good hobbies are the most helpful, in my experience.

A healthy, rewarding life is absolutely possible. Body dysmorphia is awful, but if we refuse to let it become our entire identity, and we strive to not dwell in and on it, we can live a content life. We can be happy, and have healthy relationships. We can experience growth, and accomplish great things.