First it was the #KylieJennerChallenge and now we have moved on to the #BellyButtonChallenge. What kind of world are we living in? After watching Good Morning America on Tuesday there was a story about this new challenge sweeping across Instagram. Want to give it a whirl? Take either arm, wrap it around your back, and try to touch your belly button. Can’t do it? Well don’t feel bad…neither can I.
In a nutshell, this is the new way to measure if you are considered to have a bikini ready body. First of all, my thighs, they don’t gap and second of all my bellybutton I cannot touch. You know why? Not because I am overweight, but because my SHOULDER gurdle is not flexible enough, and I will be damned if I tear my rotator cuff trying to lengthen my arm.
Young women and men for that matter have it so much more difficult today. In middle and high school instant messenger got us into enough trouble. The obscenely high standards of beauty and perfection set on young girls today is un-nerving. A few days ago this challenge only had about 50 photos…today over 6,000. I just feel the message these ‘challenges’ are sending to young women are detrimental to their physical and mental health. I had to immediately reach out to my teenage niece and ask her if this was really a thing? Thankfully she had not heard of it, and also thought it was the most absurd and ridiculous thing ever. Phew! There is still hope left.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the #BellyButtonChallenge and how we can encourage younger generations to simply love the skin they are in.
