Ashley James has candidly discussed how the current nationwide lockdown is affecting her body confidence and self-love. The 33-year-old former Made In Chelsea star says being confined to her home has caused her body dysmorphia to return, particularly after being deprived of luxuries such as weekly spray tans.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, James shared a photo of herself in a bikini and wrote: 'Let's talk about body confidence in lockdown. I talk about feeling comfortable in your own skin a lot, but I'm not going to lie, being in lockdown has been testing for me in terms of my own body image and I've felt my body dysmorphia creeping back in...' She added that she reminds herself that she is more than her body, and that sexiness is a state of mind, not defined by body shape or tan.
James admitted that the loss of her weekly spray tans made her realise how much her confidence depended on feeling tanned. She reflected on past struggles with body image, noting that she used to post provocative photos seeking validation from others. 'Ironically, I was a lingerie model during this time, further proof that my lack of self esteem and confidence had nothing to do with how my body looked,' she wrote.
She concluded by encouraging followers to work on their minds rather than their bodies, and emphasised that the only opinion that matters is one's own. 'I wanted to share what's going on in my mind in case anyone relates in some way. And to show both photos, to remind myself and hopefully you all that sexiness and confidence is an attitude. And our bodies are amazing.'
