Take a moment and think about what you’ve been taught to feel about your body. If uplifting and empowering messaging doesn’t immediately come to mind- know that you are not alone.

We are taught, from so many sources, the opposite messaging. That our bodies are shameful and in need of constant “fixing,” that they aren’t worthy of love and desire if they don’t fit society’s ideal beauty mold, that they are too big, too small, too bumpy, too hairy, too soft…the list goes on. And there is always a company looking to sell you something to “fix” you. Aka- your body is not worthy until it looks a certain way. And never stop working on that goal, because if you do, you must be lazy. When was the last time you gave yourself the opportunity to just be where you are? To not try and fix what society tells you are flaws, and instead see yourself and your body for the magically unique being that you are? Right here. Right now. How would that feel? To not shed physical weight, but the weight of expectations placed upon you?

How do we even get to a place where we can allow ourselves to do this?

It’s a journey. One where we are often confronted with hard realizations, uncomfortable feelings, and constant pushback due to the messaging constantly showered upon us. But there are also feelings of freedom, of empowerment, of self acceptance, of falling in love with our full self, and in turn, helping others do the same. And that’s the kind of work I want to do for myself.

The next time you find yourself talking negatively towards yourself, take a moment and ask yourself, with kindness, why do I feel this way? Who taught me to feel this? Allow yourself to get curious! When we do so, we pull our thoughts away from the spiral of self hatred, and instead can come away with more honest realizations of the influences we’ve allowed ourselves to be hurt by. Treat yourself with the gentleness you deserve as you do this work. At the beginning of this journey, it can be normal to jump from judging your body, to judging your brain for not immediately completely loving your body. Start with working on simple acceptance, even one body part at a time. The relationship with your body will grow, and in time, might just blossom into radical self love.

Here are some of my favorite books on this subject that have helped me, and honestly have changed my life.

The Body is Not and Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf

The Geode Theory by Teri Hofford

Body Positive Power by Megan Jayne Crabbe

Helping folks along this journey is something I’m so passionate about. And while a boudoir or portrait session isn’t going to magically fix any body image issues, it is a wonderful tool and catalyst for finding more acceptance, self love, celebration, and empowerment for yourself through this process.

My studio is a safe place for shame free exploration of your relationship to your body, and the celebration of its unique beauty and power! If you are feeling called to have this experience, I’d love to speak with your wonderful self. Shoot me a message via my contact form. You deserve to see yourself as the art that you are- right here, right now. No “fixing” required.

WANT TO BE PART OF A KICK ASS GROUP OF PEOPLE, HAVE EARLY ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON SPECIALS AND GIVEAWAYS, AND LEARN ABOUT AND CELEBRATE SELF LOVE? COME JOIN MY PRIVATE BOUDOIR FACEBOOK GROUP!