The holiday season is upon us as all the black cats, sweet treats & Hocus Pocus re-runs ushered us into the rest of 2021’s upcoming festivities.
What happens when you think of the upcoming holidays? What do you notice? Do you think of happy thoughts and start busting into “It’s Beginning To Look A lot Like Christmas”’? Or does this time of year invite stress, anticipation, and physical tension as you deal with family, finances and food? Maybe it’s a mix of both. Whatever emotional response you have, I can assume it is valid. Holidays bring up a lot of complex and differing experiences for all of us.
Unfortunately, one thing that remains constant is talk about our bodies. We think about whether or not we have the perfect “revenge body” in case we run into our ex. We fear we’ll gain "too much weight" because of all the parties, temptations and overwhelming food options. And, sometimes, we go hog-wild and overindulge, only to feel guilty and defeated until a soul-sucking diet starts on January 1.
What there’s not enough talk about is the need to appreciate our bodies for what they do for us, not just how they look. It’s easy to get swept up in aesthetics in the presence of others, but I’m likely to bet that if you are reading this, you are a person of depth. Someone who values so much more than someone's physical appearance… but it’s probably hard to apply that to yourself, am I right?
Well, I encourage you to stop making yourself an exception. Instead, practice reversing that pattern of criticizing, putting down and punishing your body for what it looks like in this season of life. As my business motto states: “It’s time to be kind to your mind + body.”
The time is now.
It’s not when you think you’ll finally feel better or more accepting about your body. That’s just a roadblock to accessing the embodied compassion and love that's available to you right in this very moment.
It may feel awkward at first, and/or for a while. You may find yourself resisting any seemingly neutral or positive interactions with your body. I get it. It’s a lot of unlearning to do. But are you willing to show up for yourself differently? Will you give it a shot?
Write a thank you letter to your body
Take some time to acknowledge all that it has done to carry you from January 2021 to right now. What positive experiences has your body allowed you to have? Some examples may include exploring new parts of the town, beginning to travel again, snuggling pets and loved ones, slowing down, and allowing you to take more, much-needed naps.
On the other hand, what hard circumstances has your body adapted to and helped you survive this year? Can you acknowledge your body is one tough and miraculous source of your being?
Participate in a guided meditation to bypass shame trapped in your body
I have a few available on my YouTube channel. The one below is specifically geared toward body appreciation!