Contributed Collaborative Post
Our relationship with our bodies tends to swing between extremes, even if we’re generally quite healthy about it. Some days we feel great about ourselves, while other days bring thoughts we’d rather not have, especially in the cold light of a clothing room changing store, where it seems the mirrors have been selected based on what could make you, personally, look the least appealing.
That’s completely normal and happens to most people. But the issue comes when those negative thoughts start taking over, making us forget that our bodies do amazing things for us every single day and if you’re reading this, right now too.
Radical acceptance sounds like a fancy term some strange wellness entrepreneur made up, but it really just means meeting yourself where you are right now. Not where you want to be next summer, or where you were five years ago, but right here. Some people think this means giving up on health goals or personal care, but that’s not true at all. You can accept your body while still taking good care of it.
So, let’s consider how to balance this mindset to stop judging yourself all the time:
Starting Where You Are
Your body exists exactly as it is today. That might sound obvious, perhaps the most obvious thing you’re going to hear this year, but many people live in a constant state of waiting to start living until they reach a certain size or shape. But remember that life happens now, not in some imagined future where everything looks different.
You’re still as valid as you are when at your perfect healthy weight, or if you’re obese, remember that. Now, that’s not to say there’s aren’t healthy decisions to make, or that some people wish for slight cosmetic work such as breast fat transfer or other procedures, but ultimately this doesn’t change your character and who you are. Both choices work fine if they come from a place of self-care rather than self-criticism. The goal is to stop putting your life on hold while waiting to look different, so be sure to remember that too. In fact, accepting that can help you accept other people more, and that’s wonderful.
Acceptance Doesn’t Mean Settling
Taking care of your body and accepting it aren’t opposite ideas, in fact they work together quite well. Acceptance means treating yourself kindly while making choices about your health and appearance, but also accepting if you’re not perfect in that, or if you’ve made poor choices in the past.
Sure, maybe you want to get stronger, eat better foods, or change how you look, and those goals can exist alongside appreciation for your body as it is right now. Think of it like taking care of a friend who you want the best for, you don’t wait until they’re perfect to treat them well. The same applies to yourself, so keep that in mind!
Finding Your Own Path
Everyone’s journey looks different because bodies and lives vary so much. Some people are recovering from pregnancy, others from cancer, some from developmental defects, others may just have lost their confidence and turned to food to cope. Be gentle with yourself, as some people find peace through movement they enjoy, like dancing or walking in nature, and others connect with their bodies through creative activities or by wearing clothes that feel good. Write down what makes you feel connected to yourself rather than critical. Notice what helps you feel present in your body instead of wanting to escape it. Those moments show you your personal path forward and give you something to feel happy with.
With this advice, we hope you can continue to practice radical acceptance of your body in the best way.
This is a contributed collaborative post
