Let’s be real. Being confident in ourselves can be super tough. Feeling good in a cute outfit is one thing, but feeling confident in our bare skin? That’s way harder. But even though truly loving our body can seem unachievable, it is a learned love that everyone benefits from. We must push away all of the fake and impossible societal “beauty standards” so we can feel confident naked.

There is no requirement to be naked (or even close to naked) in a boudoir session, but some of my clients choose to celebrate themselves with fine art nude portraits. If you are thinking about showing some serious skin in your boudoir session, I’m here for it! Follow these four tips if you’re looking for ways to feel better naked, either for a boudoir session or just on your own terms.

1. Look at yourself in the mirror

One of the simplest and easiest ways to get comfortable with your body is to actually look at it. And I don’t mean with a critical eye. At the end of each day, as you’re changing into your night clothes, take a few minutes to stand in front of the mirror completely naked. Time yourself for 3 minutes. Look at your tummy, your breasts, your thighs, and every other part of yourself. The first few times, you might feel uncomfortable, and 3 minutes might feel like a long time. You might be tempted to think negative thoughts about yourself, but push those away. As the days go by, and you get used to how your body looks, you’ll start to see your beauty. Try doing this for two weeks and see how your confidence grows. 

2. Touch yourself with positivity

Have you ever literally touched your body with negativity? Grabbing the rolls of your stomach, scratching and prodding your cellulite, pinching your scars? Instead of weaponizing your sense of touch against yourself, try using positive touch. Grab some lotion and rub it into your problem areas while thinking thoughts of love, or at the very least, neutrality. For example, if your legs aren’t your favorite part of yourself, thank them for taking your where you needed to be for the day. If you do this at least once a week, your love for how you look will deepen.

3. Pick a mantra

Everyone on their self-love journey should have a manta. It’s a saying or phrase that centers yourself if you stray into negative thoughts and spiral into self-hate. Although your general self-love mantra may work, you should have a mantra that reflects your specific desires as you are learning to love your naked body. Repeat your mantra every morning and every night before going to bed. You will become more comfortable in allowing yourself to love your body.

4. Stop comparing yourself to others

This one is perhaps the most obvious, but it’s the most important. Truly internalize that women have all different types of bodies, and they are all beautiful. Don’t compare yourself to Kim Kardashian. Or your work friends. Or your sisters or cousins. You are you. Beautiful, sexy, and worthy of all desires. You are unique and irreplaceable.

XOXO,

Ria