More Than a Summer Body…
With the current heatwave hitting the UK, many of us might naturally have become more aware of our bodies this week. Shorts, swimsuits and summer dresses can bring up both feelings of summer excitement as well as insecurity or comparison. With a bit more skin on show, you might be feeling a bit more exposed, uncomfortable maybe. Well I just want to say now, if you've ever looked in the mirror and wished your body looked different, you're not alone…
Social media and the culture around us present us with thousands of images every day of a ‘desirable body’, that ‘perfect’ summer body. But the truth is, there is no such thing. Our bodies come in all shapes, sizes and colours, and every single one is unique. The idea that we all need to aspire to the same body and look a certain way to enjoy the sunshine simply isn't true - in fact it completely undermines our worth. Our bodies are so much more than something to be looked at. They carry us through life. They allow us to laugh with friends, hug the people we love, dance, run, rest, create and experience the world around us. Just as we care for our hearts and minds, our bodies deserve that same care, compassion and attention. Not constant putting down and resistance.
Now don’t get me wrong, learning to feel comfortable in our own bodies isn't always easy. Some days we'll feel confident, while on others we may struggle with how we look. That's a normal part of being human. Growing in body confidence doesn't mean loving every part of yourself every single day. It means learning to treat your body with kindness, respect and gratitude, even when those positive feelings don't come naturally.
So how can we help ourselves?
Well we LOVE partnering with and learning from other charities and would love to give a particular shoutout to Light Minds Collective when it comes to important conversations and support around body image.
Here are some wise words of help from the Founder, Zoë Harwood herself…
In total, we only have around 80 summers to enjoy in our lifetime. Just 80 times to wear your favourite outfits, splash around in the pool and make those core memories.
The beauty industry’s ever-changing standards will have us believing we need to work for the ‘beach body’, or that our summer body is made over winter (when are we ever meant to rest, like the rest of nature?!). But I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to look perfect in that summer dress, you don’t need slimmer legs for the shorts or toned arms for the jumpsuit. If it reflects your character and your energy, wear it! Wear the outfit that is fun, wear the outfit that makes you shine like the goddess that you are. We were never meant to blend into the background while waiting for our bodies to be good enough - you are worth more than that.
Thank you Zoë - We couldn’t agree more!
We believe that the way you see yourself underpins everything and a healthy self-esteem grows from understanding that your value has never depended on your appearance. Your worth isn't measured by the size of your jeans, how you look in a swimsuit, or whether you fit someone else's idea of beauty. Your worth has always been there.
This summer, instead of working against your body, what if you chose to work with it? To thank it, care for it, and remember that it's an important part of the wonderfully unique person you already are.
If you’d like more time to reflect on this, be encouraged with some top tips and guided with practices to try, then check out our new Body Image resource here.
And check out the work and support of Zoë and Light Minds Collective here.
