Jessica PingThis month, take some time to appreciate and love your body. Not sure how to start? Follow the steps below!
*Disclosure: There are affiliate links in the following article, meaning that, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links, I will receive a small commission.
I think it’s time to rewrite the script about Valentine’s Day.
There is no hard and fast rule declaring that Valentine’s Day is strictly about romance.
Hallmark Pack of Valentines Day Cards, Happy Heart Day (6 Valentine’s Day Cards with Envelopes)
Think about it for a second…
How many Valentine’s Day cards did you hand out to your classmates in elementary school?
What about your parents… did they ever give you a Valentine’s Day gift?
Surely I’m not the only one who has a grandmother who is obsessed with sending cards to her grandchildren for EVERY holiday.
The point is, Valentine’s Day is about LOVE, not romance. So, I think it’s time that we as a society STOP the hatred towards the holiday and instead use it as a way to celebrate LOVE of all kinds.
I’m talking about the love shared between friends, the love you feel for your pet, and, most importantly, the love you have for YOURSELF!
Embracing this change is essential after the year we have all endured. Even if you live with a partner, friend, or family member, this year has still been ROUGH on everyone’s mental health.
Covid-19 has shown me how much I have taken for granted in this life. Something as simple as being around other humans is a gift. But, it’s a gift I often misused due to my deep-seated insecurities about my body, my personality, and my disability.
NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO
Of course, for me, two of those go hand in hand, but that’s not the case for everyone. That said, at some point or other, I truly think everyone has negative feelings about the way they look.
Be honest with yourself… have you ever canceled plans or declined an opportunity because you didn’t think you looked good enough? Or, maybe even worse, have you ever still gone out and had a miserable time because you were constantly worried about your tummy, your zit, or something else like this?
I, unfortunately, am right there with you. ESPECIALLY with the second option.
It’s tragic! So many conversations that could have been had or memories that could have been made if I had just stopped holding myself back.
Since identifying this behavior a few months back, I have been working so hard to ensure that, when the world opens back up again, because it will one day, that I no longer let things as inconsequential as my physical appearance ruin my fun.
Below I have outlined some of the steps I have personally taken over the last few months to help me appreciate my body more as well as some that I am planning on implementing into my daily routine in the upcoming weeks. While I haven’t been able to test out my progress at a proper social event, I can already tell that my confidence has improved drastically!
Keep reading to see how you too can learn to start LOVING YOUR BODY by Valentine’s Day!
February Book of the Month!
I am so excited to announce my first Book of the Month partnership! This month, I am working alongside Disability Maternity Care, an amazing non-profit based in Australia that provides information and resources to women with disabilities and their families who are interested in parenthood. I love this organization and I can’t wait to read this book with you all so we can discuss it next month! Use the affiliate link below to purchase your copy NOW so you can participate in the discussion!
Buy The Book: https://disability-maternity-care.myshopify.com/?ref=06YqK
1. Photograph Yourself EVERY DAY – your body is a work of art, embrace it!
I’m dead serious here… every single day. It doesn’t matter if it’s a selfie, a mirror pic, or you set up a tripod and pose. Use whatever you’ve got and just make it happen.
Since social media, particularly Instagram, is a big part of my blog, I’ve had to get used to appearing on screen every day, no matter what I look like. As I sit here typing this, for example, the clock says that it is 8:00 PM and I have yet to change out of my pajamas from last night. Still, I’ve taken at least 4 selfies today.
Now, you don’t have to be like me and post your pictures on the internet. But, if you choose to, I have found a lot of power in doing so! Regardless, taking a photo of yourself every day will, over time, help you appreciate your natural beauty and ultimately boost your confidence!
2. Write Love Letters – Explain all of the reasons you love your body!
I personally haven’t done this, but I have become very interested in the idea of manifestation since finishing my January Book of the Month. In the book, You Are A Badass At Making Money, Jen Sincero, the author, calls on the reader to write a love letter to money. This exercise is designed to help the reader:
- Feel more in control of their finances
- Appreciate the power of money
- Be excited about all of the good things money will bring them in the future
January Book Of the Month
You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth
So, let’s change money to body and see if it still works…
If you write a love letter to your body you will:
- Feel more in control of your body
- Appreciate the body you have
- Be excited about all of the good things your body can do, has done, and will do in the future.
Yup, it fits! Seriously y’all, while I haven’t yet done this myself, I see it having a massive amount of potential!
Give it a try and see what happens. If you want to get real fancy, buy some of those cheesy Valentine’s Day cards for ~aesthetics~
3. Fake It Til You Make It – tell yourself you love your body until you do!
THIS.
If you follow me on social media (if you don’t, then you should 😉😘), then you know that last summer I began introducing body positivity content into my feed. To be fair, some could argue that my content has always been body positive. After all, embracing disability (or any sort of difference – hair, skin, height, etc) is a big part of the movement. But, last summer was the first time that I came out and started talking about my insecurities with the way I look beyond just my disability.
I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my disability throughout my entire life. I’ve had a hate/hate relationship with my body size and shape.
No matter what the number on the scale has said, I have been unhappy looking in a mirror since childhood.
September Book Of The Month
You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
https://amzn.to/2EyvyLc
So, when I wrote that first post and expressed that I was on the path to body acceptance, something shifted. It was very small, but over time, it’s had a real lasting impact. You see, every time I say something good about the human body, or remind others that they are beautiful no matter what, my mind wakes up and is like “yes, that means you too!” It’s really empowering!
Now, once again, you don’t need to be posting all these thoughts online. Instead, just try to say them out loud to yourself and others every chance you get. Focus on compliments and avoid self-deprecation at all costs. I promise, with time, it will make a huge difference in how you see yourself!
4. Treat Your Body With Kindness – Give your body the nurturing it needs!
Drink lots of water.
Get lots of sleep.
Eat lots of healthy food (and, of course, some fun food, too!).
And, if you are able, move your body.
Learning how to properly move my body in a healthy way as a woman with a disability was very empowering. It gave me physical and mental strength at a time when I needed it most. This week’s YouTube video goes more in-depth into this experience – be sure to SUBSCRIBE and tune in Thursday to watch!
5. Surround Yourself With Realness – Only be around people who help you love your body!
Excuse my french, but self-comparison can be a real bitch. Seriously, if you are surrounded by people who make you feel bad about the way you look, it’s time to leave the room and enter a new one.
October Book of the Month Review
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century
Unfortunately, I understand that some people may be stuck in unhealthy family or roommate situations due to the pandemic. But, there are plenty of other ways to feel empowered and find support during this time. For example, one of the quickest things you can do is unfollow people online who make you feel worse about yourself. Yes, you can still unfollow even if you know them in person. No, you don’t need to explain yourself. Just simply unfollow them or mute their feed. Massive problem solved!
If you’re looking for direct support, you could try joining some online Facebook groups. Since lockdown began in the UK, I have joined several groups to try to connect with other like-minded ladies in my area. It’s been fun to interact with new people and feel inspired by other people’s successes. There are literally Facebook groups for anything (including, body positivity!). So, get searching and see if you can find some other people who are looking for some support during this tough time.
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