The only way you will have failed to have an awareness of Kim Kardashian's bottom over the last week is if you've been cut off from the Internet, radio and any TV news. I don't think she managed to #breaktheinternet but she has generated a huge amount of discussion (and an equal or greater amount of parody) as a result. Everybody has an opinion!

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	Kim Kardashian's Bottom: "Everybody has an opinion" What's yours? Click to Tweet

Whilst I think the photo is pretty awful (too much oil and photoshopping) the thing that I like about the whole event is that Kim Kardashian is obviously happy with her body.  She has a big bum and she's loud and proud about it.  That gives women who have this shape feel far more comfortable about themselves, and I think that this introduces more diversity into the discussion about what is the "Perfect Body".     ​

There seems to have been a real flurry of controversy in the last couple of weeks about women's body shapes.  Starting with the Victoria's Secret advert, then the Vogue and Dove follow ups and the furore about Myla Dalbesio talking about being considered a plus size model in Marie Claire. 

Now, there are body shapes which are more preferable to society (that relate to being slim and toned, and for women, to demonstrate an hourglass shape) but...

There's no such thing as the "Perfect Body"

What we see in the media is largely unreal: styled, lit and photoshopped into oblivion.  Add to that, the fashion industry is famed for using models who are very far from average shaped, plus the camera supposedly adding 10 pounds.  The final factor is personal preference!*  These elements contribute to a very distorted view about what this "Perfect Body" is.

For some women, this creates a huge pressure where they beat themselves up about how they don't measure up, about how they are not worthy as a result.  And that self loathing is just so debilitating.  It can lead to them turning to food as a comfort so they become even unhappier as they get larger.  Or it could lead to plastic surgery to achieve somewhere near the same look - but, of course, that's often impossible as the starting point is radically different.  

We are different shapes and sizes, and that's OK.​  Comparison means nothing if you start with different bone structure, proportions and genetic predisposition. 

The fastest way to happiness is to become comfortable with the person you are - and that includes your body. Of course, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't care about your body and want to keep fit and physically healthy or to maintain a certain weight or size, but self loathing is not a desirable mental state.

Be kind to yourself.​

* The day after the Kim Kardashian photo broke, one of my friends lamented on Facebook that she'd asked her husband if her bum was too big and he'd said yes.  She was preparing herself for a lot of diet and exercise to make it smaller.  I don't imagine Kanye West would be complaining....​