Body Positive in Training

keep this in mind as you prepare for swimsuit season

She is standing in front of the mirror
examining the wreckage 
of pregnancy
and birth,
trying to sigh away 
feeling fat 
and
unattractive
while disguising disgust
with a smile.

She pushes her shoulders back,
turns to her daughters
and tells them how she really feels:

I love my body.
It gave me you.


This is body positive in training.

Write

Mothering can be hard in this way. We are constantly modeling how to act, including how we treat and view ourselves. Today’s reflection is focused on exploring why you view and treat yourself the way you do and how you might want to view and treat yourself moving forward.

Consider the following questions for reflection:
*use the questions that are most relevant for you to help you get started but don’t feel like you have to stick with the questions - just let it flow!

• What or who has contributed to the positive view you have of yourself? What or who has contributed to the negative view you have of yourself?

• What is something that you’re thankful was modeled for you when you were young? Or What do you wish was modeled for you?

• What were/are you really intentional about modeling to your kids? OR What is something you want to make sure you are intentional to model for the little people in your life?

After you’ve done some reflective writing, consider the following for next steps:

• What insights are you walking away with about yourself?

• What goals might you set for yourself?

• What’s the next littlest step?

Every body, show me your body of writing here.

My Story

Growing up, I remember distinctly how it seemed every single doll in the store had blonde hair, light eyes, and light skin. None of them looked like me. Neither did the characters on TV. I remember idolizing Lady Lovely Locks and her long blonde hair. I wanted to be Lady Lovely Locks. In fact, I decided I was Lady Lovely Locks. My siblings will tell you, for a period of time I wouldn’t answer to any name but Lady Lovely Locks. (That was a lot of Lady Lovely Lockses in one paragraph).

In elementary school, it felt like it was just me and one other girl in my class with darker features. The hair on my arms and legs was black, not like the blonde peach fuzz hair of my classmates. I hated wearing white t-shirts because I was scared somebody could see the bra I was forced to wear. I remember relating to the girl on Now and Then who taped her chest down to be more flat. That’s exactly what I wanted to do too. I felt so awkward and embarrassed.