Tackling Bad Body Image Days
For me, sometimes I just feel it. I feel this uneasiness in my gut, this disconnectedness to my body. It feels like everything is off, too tight, feelings too sharp, edges too sharp.
For me, body insecurity shows up with a physicality as well as an emotional response.
I can tell when I am having a bad body image day by the way negative thoughts might creep in when I look in the mirror, or if my mind or mouth utters an old diet culture adage like “I have to workout, I ate so much yesterday,” or “I’ve been so bad, I don’t deserve dessert, I am getting fat.” These refrains can slip into my mind if I am not careful.
But for me, I can also feel it in my body. It is a physical feeling of discomfort for me.
I feel uncomfortable in my clothes. I feel jittery and out of place in my skin. I feel disconnected to myself.
As I write this I am having one of those days. A day of body insecurity and discomfort that I can FEEL.
I have done the work so that this feeling now elicits kindness rather than harshness. I have not told myself I need to start a new diet or workout more. I haven't spoken down to myself or defined my worth by my body.
Instead here is what I did:
I stopped and tried to pinpoint why I am feeling this way. Sometimes it can be something as simple as an upcoming menstrual cycle causing bloating and hormone changes. This time, I know it is because I haven’t been able to move my body in over a week due to an injury. I am not even allowed to walk my dog. As someone who walks 3-4 miles daily, and works out, my energy is low and I am feeling disconnected from my body because I cannot honor it and celebrate it in the ways I typically do.
Now that I know why I am feeling this way, I can take steps to alleviate this feeling. I can remind myself that I deserve empathy and that rest is important. I can do all the things that make me feel supported in my body:
Wearing comfortable clothing that fits.
Avoiding body checking. (like looking in mirrors or shop windows to check how my body looks)
Focusing on positive self talk and affirmations like:
My body is worthy as it is.
It is okay to be upset, but there is nothing wrong with your body.
There is nothing wrong with body changes, you are worthy of love at any size.
These small things help me. They help me train my brain to stop feeling insecure, to stop beating myself up. It can feel so hard, but it is possible. I am always here if you need help.
