NEDA Column – Summer of Self-Love

Here is my NEDA column from August! I realize that it’s now the end of September, but life has been crazy busy and I just haven’t had time to do any blogging lately. This piece is still important to me though, so I wanted to make sure I posted it on my blog even if it is officially fall now 🙂

Originally published on the National Eating Disorders Associaton’s blog

We’ve reached the time of year when, even more so than usual, we’re bombarded with messages saying our bodies aren’t good enough as is, and that to feel confident and have a wonderful summer we need to look a certain way or weigh X pounds. For so long I thought that was true, and every year I became frustrated when my body never looked like the ideal bikini body that we see plastered all across the media.

This year I am determined to have a wonderful summer, but in a very different way than years past. Instead of focusing on changing my body, I am focusing on accepting, loving, and caring for it. Throughout my years of eating disorder treatment and working towards body acceptance, I have learned a lot that has helped me get where I am today.

One of my most significant realizations is that changing my body does not mean I will automatically love myself. I have learned that self-love and body image has far more to do with my mental state than my physical appearance. This concept always makes me think of one of my favorite quotes from my former therapist, Cassie Thacker: “Body image has little to do with your outward appearance. Body image is really a state of mind.” This quote helps remind me that there is nothing wrong with my body, and that, instead of changing my body, I need to continue focusing on my mentality.

I have also learned that regardless of what body type a person has, how much or how little fat they have, how many stretch marks they have, etc., everyone deserves to feel comfortable in and love their body exactly the way it is at this very moment. In years past, I would hide my body beneath yoga pants and t-shirts during the summer. Even though I was physically very uncomfortable from the heat, I was too scared to allow other people to see more of me. Thankfully, this is no longer an issue

Now when it’s warm outside I feel comfortable wearing shorts and a tank top. This is not to say that, just because it is summer, everyone should wear clothing that exposes more of their body. My main point is that everyone deserves to dress however is most comfortable for them. That will look different for everyone. For some, it may mean covering up more of their body, and for others, it may mean the opposite. The important part is to focus on your own needs and to try your best to spend less time worrying about what others will think about your body. Do what feels right for you.

Eventually, I realized how much more satisfying it is to work towards loving and accepting my body rather than wasting time and energy trying to change myself to match societal ideals. This is much easier said than done, and it took me years to finally reach a place of wanting to make peace with my body, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The body I have right now is the only one that I will ever have, and it deserves to be treated with unconditional appreciation, acceptance, kindness, and love.

Link to this article on NEDA’s Blog: NEDA Column Summer of Self-Love