‘My body is the least interesting thing about me,’ and other body-positive affirmations for every day
It’s International No Diet Day today! Aside from taking 24 hours to enjoy any meal you want, today is also a celebration of body positivity, shape acceptance, and self-love— and what better way to kick off these advocacies than positive affirmations?
ICYDK, affirmations are a form of inspirational self-talk that can shift your perspective and revamp your mindset. The trick is to repeatedly say it to yourself every day, or at least to recalibrate your thinking when intrusive thoughts pop up.
Not sure where to start? Check out these basic affirmations to start your body-positivity journey.
“My body deserves kindness”
We’re often our own worst critics, and constantly shaming ourselves and our bodies doesn't do anyone any good. Next time you judge yourself, imagine that you're talking to a good friend. Would you put up with someone who constantly puts you down?
The sooner we speak to ourselves with kindness, the sooner we can stop looking for harmful ways to lose weight.
“My body is changing and so am I”
Hey, it happens, we all grow older sooner or later. Though we may not all have the same metabolism and effortlessly blemish-free skin from when we were young, it pays to have the wisdom we have now. Allow you and your body to change beyond society’s expectations, and watch yourself be happier in the process.
“Numbers don’t define me”
Most trainers and experts understand that the weighing scale doesn’t measure one's overall health. Weight fluctuates and bodies buff up in varied ways. One's BMI is also an important factor, so fewer pounds don't automatically equate to achieving the ideal body shape.
See: Lizzo’s Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards performance when she did dance number after dance number and still had the energy to do a whole flute montage. If that doesn’t look like a well-oiled machine, we don’t know what does.
“My body is the vessel that makes me do great things”
Being appreciative and saying thank you to your body for allowing you to do what you love is one of the key ways to live a life of gratitude. Rather than seeing it for its aesthetic features, using our bodies as a tool will ultimately make us want to take care of it better.
“My body is the least interesting thing about me”
Tough words to hear, but it pays to remember that we're much more than what we look like. With today’s culture giving importance to the exterior (because that’s literally all we see on social media), The Little Prince gives us a clear reminder that: “What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
This doesn’t mean neglecting your health though! At its core, body positivity is taking the right steps with good intentions towards being healthy, and not simply doing it because of society's demands.
Photos and inner images from Diana Polekhina via Unsplash
