Body Image Panel Wrap Up
Last Monday we closed out the Discover You Panel Discussion Series on the topic of body image. Although we hosted a women’s only event, it is definitely something every single person encounters and deals with on a regular basis. We have so many pressures from other people, social media, and ourselves to live up to that it is no wonder many people have poor reflections of themselves. Rather than being ourselves we easily get caught up attempting to achieve a certain look that society tells us is the perfect, one way to be.
I began the evening with a quote I found from the Instagram account @youaintyourweight, “don’t value your body over your being”. This statement is truly what the evening centred around as we shared, listened, and discussed.
The biggest take aways from our body image panel that I want to share with all of you include the following:
- Change how you feel on the inside first. It won’t matter what you look like on the outside if you haven’t first begun to transform the feelings and thoughts you have on the inside.
- You are enough. What you have to offer is enough. You don’t need to change or become smaller to be have more value in this world.
- Surround yourself with people (in person) and accounts (via social media) that send you positive vibes and good energy. Don’t get so caught up in the negative and what others are doing that you don’t love so much. Focus on the good and your energy will elevate you higher.
- Life is a journey and your body is right there along for the ride. As we enter different life stages our bodies will change and that is okay. Embrace the changes life has to offer and love your body as it learns how to deal with those changes. We don’t talk enough about bodies changing over time - we often dwell on the changes that occur rather than recognizing that it comes with the new territory in the new life stage (puberty, pregnancy, menopause…)
- As professionals we want to create conversations around how a client feels rather than how they look. Although aesthetic goals are one way to measure success, it isn’t the only way. Think of measuring energy levels, mood, strength (how much weight can you lift, etc), rather than immediately going to amount of weight lost.
We are all a work in progress. No one will always feel 100% about themselves 100% of the time. The best thing we can do is to practice self love, take care of ourselves, body, mind, and soul and we will exude our best energy to the rest of the world.
“What about this theory. The fear of not being enough, and the fear of being too much are exactly the same fear. The fear of being you.”
You are enough.
Be fierce. Be strong. Be vibrant.
Rachel
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Feel free to comment below with topics you would be interested in reading about in the future.