Shifting My Mindset Around Body Image

Brittany Turner
Jul 20, 2017 · 4 min read

Before I dive into this, I want you to know that the reason I’m sharing on this level is because I believe that part of my PURPOSE and a reason for creating this platform, is to share as honestly as possible in order for readers to see a little piece of themselves in my story. Whether you find comfort, inspiration, or even if you disagree — the act of engaging in someone else’s real story is important in learning more about yourself and truly self-reflecting.

I listened to an episode of Melissa Ambrosini’s podcast this week

where she interviewed Tera Warner and they spoke about Body Image Detox. I chose this episode with intention, as my mindset around body image is something that I have been personally focusing on lately. Perhaps you read my recent blog post about my relationship with food. After listening, and in deciding to write this post, I have fully embraced the idea that I am DONE wasting time obsessing over how I look.

I have tried to follow my thoughts about my body back to their root but, for so many of them, it is unclear how they developed. I remember, even as a little girl, tormenting my mom and making her do and redo my hair every morning or dumping out my dresser drawers, trying to find something to wear. I still remember that what was driving this mayhem was my fear that someone might make fun of me or that my classmates would think less of me if I didn’t look a certain way.

I have obsessed over just about EVERYTHING when it comes to my body.

I used to worry about my curly, frizzy hair and spent hours trying to tame it. I thought that the hair on my arms was too dark, my ankles too fat, my eyebrows too thick and misshaped. More recently, I have thought constantly about my thighs touching, the stretch marks on my hips, cellulite popping up here and there. I’ve taken note of more pillowy skin at the space between my shoulders and chest — like those little triangle patches of skin that bulge out when you wear a tank top (when I write this it sounds so silly! This is really therapeutic — you should try too). And probably most of all, I have thought consistently about my belly and wanting it to be flat. My lower belly doesn’t match the definition of my upper belly. I have made myself sick before from sucking in my stomach for long periods of time in public.

This exhausting, worrying, obsessive, un-acceptance of self. I’m letting it go.

I love what they say in the podcast episode — we all have those people in our lives who radiate no matter their body type. Their confidence is rooted in their soul and WHO THEY ARE instead of their physical body.

So here’s how I’m going to actively shift my mindset…

I have already strengthened my mind a lot through meditation

and I’ll continue to do this. It enables me to catch myself in a negative thought pattern and re-route it. I will intentionally re-route thoughts about my body to focus on health, strength, beauty, ability, and resilience.

I will recruit those around me to remind me of my commitment

to loving myself. If they hear me speaking poorly about my physical self, I will ask them to kindly remind me to love the skin I’m in.

And I will find ways to grow my soul and get in touch with my inner

beauty. Continue to develop personally through reading, writing, listening to podcasts, trying new things, experiencing nature, and having fun as much as humanly possible.

My body tells a story — it’s the vessel that I get to live this one life in. I want to love it, nurture it, and be at peace with it’s unique features. I invite you to join me in letting negative body image go. Don’t waste anymore of your precious time on thoughts that are standing in the way of your bright bright beauty.

B

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About Brittany

Brittany is the driving force behind The Courage Collective, a personal coaching service and blog for millennials and young people alike. It’s courage for your quarter life. This initiative and company has been her heart work over the past year. Connect with Britt on Instagram: @brittkathrynn

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