T/W - food, body image 💛

Not unlike many people I know, I’ve struggled with my body, body image and body confidence for as long as I can remember.

I’ve weighed, measured and body checked myself more times and days than I care to admit. I’ve restricted, binged, and punished my body for many, many years, and I’m currently on a journey to try and heal my body - and my mind - from the inside out.

It’s a tough and tricky journey, and one I couldn’t do without the love, patience, encouragement and understanding of my closest and favourite people, but it’s one I’m determined to do for me. For me right now and for future me.

And so, as part of this journey, I thought I’d journal on a few things that are more important than how my body looks. I might make this into a mini series, who knows, but here are 30 wonderful reasons to remind myself - and you, if you need them - of what is more important than what we look like -

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Being able to feel the warmth of the sunshine on my skin
Eating nutritious food to fuel and look after my body and keep it strong
Helping friends and loved ones when they need help
Being kind to others
Being kind to myself
Telling the people I love that I love them often.
Being able to taste my favourite food
Being able to walk along the beach and hear the sound of the ocean
Being able to feel the sand on my feet.
Being able to listen to music
Being able to dance, wherever I want, whenever I want.
Being able to sing (badly) at the top of my lungs in the car or in my living room
Being able to hug the people I love
Being able to pay my rent and my bills and have a roof over my head
Being able to dream and set ambitious goals for myself
Having the ambition, courage and determination to go after my goals and make them happen
Being able to cuddle and play with my - and other people’s! - dogs.
Being able to swim in the sea
Being able to run in the rain
Being able to read my favourite books
Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and sitting in that discomfort to achieve my goals
How my body is able to heal itself
Respecting my body and the fact that it keeps me alive every day
Being able to watch the sunset and the beautiful colour of the sky in the evening
Supporting my loved ones in their goals and dreams and being their biggest cheerleaders
Feeling the joy that comes with laughing so hard your cheeks start to hurt
Looking after my mental health and asking for help if I need it
Being able to taste and savour the first sip of coffee in the morning
Being able to spend time doing things that bring me joy and make my heart happy
Waking up in the morning and feeling gratitude for today