June 12, 2024
Happy happy Wednesday, my beautiful human beings! I chose today’s quote because I think it will resonate deeply with many of us. It’s about the relationship we have with our bodies. I do want to point out that today will only touch the surface on what can be a very heavy topic for some, but my goal is here is to provide just a smidge of encouragement and empowerment!
“Whenever we divide our bodies into what we like about them and what we don’t, we mutilate ourselves. You are not an inventory of body parts in two columns of pros & cons. Your body is not a project with a to-do list of improvements and alterations. You are a whole being - a poem, whose every single word makes meaning.” - David Gate ✨
As social media has only grown and become more prominent, self-criticism and comparison have followed suit and often overshadow self-love and acceptance. We are constantly bombarded by ads and influencers promoting the best workout routines, workout supplements, diets, Ozempic or the equivalent, surgeries… the list truly goes on and on. Platforms filled with carefully curated images of ‘ideal’ bodies can distort our perception of reality. We compare our behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel, and it’s a losing battle. These comparisons can be toxic, fueling dissatisfaction and self-loathing. But I need you to remember, these images often don’t reflect the full truth. They are edited, filtered, and staged to create an illusion of perfection.
When we scrutinize ourselves through a lens of flaws and imperfections, we diminish the beauty and uniqueness that makes each of us whole. When we start dividing our bodies into what we like and what we don’t, we are just tearing ourselves apart and nothing productive is coming from this. Actually that’s not true, companies find it productive because they are making a profit off your self hatred. The last thing we want to do is fuel these companies (and individuals) further. The idea of viewing our bodies as a sum of its parts, categorizing them as positives and negatives, only leads to self-harm. This fragmentation doesn’t just harm our self-esteem, it impacts our overall well-being. Our mental and emotional health suffers when we focus on perceived imperfections. Imagine if instead of focusing on what we don’t like or what we want to change, we spent that energy celebrating our bodies instead. What if we chose to see ourselves as complete, just as we are? Each part of us, no matter how imperfect we might think it is, plays a role in the symphony of our lives. Embracing this concept can lead to a profound shift in how we view ourselves.
Every word in a poem has its place and purpose, contributing to the beauty of the whole. Similarly, every part of our body has its role, creating the unique masterpiece that is you. We are intricate poems, woven from complexities and nuances, each aspect adding depth and richness to the tapestry of who we are.
I know it's incredibly hard to love every piece of your body, especially in a world that constantly tells us we need to change. But the thing is, no one is going to remember us for how we looked. When we pass on, people will remember the impact we made, the kindness we showed, and the love we shared. Our legacy is not in our physical appearance but in the way we touch others’ lives.
So, let’s start being kinder to ourselves. Embrace your body as it is, without dividing it into parts you like and parts you don’t. Celebrate the strength of your legs that carry you through life, the gray strands of hair that hold all your wisdom (y’all let me tell you, I’m REALLY wise 😉), the hands that hold and create, and the heart that loves deeply. Each part of you tells a story, contributes to your journey, and makes you who you are.
I am going to challenge you to look in the mirror and see the whole poem, not just isolated words. Appreciate the beauty of your unique composition. Let’s move away from the to-do lists of improvements and embrace the complete, beautiful beings we are. Let us cherish our bodies not for how closely they adhere to external ideals, but for the magnificence they hold within. You are enough, just as you are. Embrace the beauty of your entirety. You are a poem waiting to be read and appreciated in its totality. Every word of your poem matters.
Trust your journey. Rest your soul. Always leave people better than you found them and have a divine day and an poetic weekend ahead! 👽🫶🏻🧿