If you're experiencing feelings of insecurity about your body, please know that you are not alone. Regrettably, many of us live our daily lives with a sense of dissatisfaction and insecurity about our physical appearance. It can feel as though our bodies don't meet the expectations we have for how they should look.

Body insecurity is often caused by external influences rather than stemming from within. This means that things we were told as children, familial patterns, or witnessing a parent's dissatisfaction with their own body can impact our own body image. A parent may have instilled in us the belief that our body is inadequate or needs to be a certain size or shape, perpetuating a negative cycle of body shaming.

Moreover, external pressures that contribute to body insecurity include cultural standards that place significant emphasis on a woman's physical appearance. Women are often judged and valued based on how they look and how their body appears. If you happen to be a woman whose weight is above what society deems ideal, you may have experienced different treatment or discrimination. In today's world, social media exacerbates the problem by promoting comparison and the idealization of certain body types. It's all too easy to get caught up in this endless scroll and feel insecure about our own bodies.

Feeling insecure about your body can drain your vitality and mental energy, as you may find yourself constantly preoccupied with negative thoughts about your appearance. My aim is to encourage you to take small steps every day towards improving your relationship with your body. By doing so, you can gradually enhance your feelings of comfort and acceptance towards yourself.

So, how can you move past feelings of insecurity and begin to feel confident and empowered in your body? 

The initial step (which is SUCH an important step) towards feeling more confident in your body is to shift your focus from being mainly focused on external factors to being more focused on internal ones. 

This means redirecting your attention towards your own feelings and experiences, rather than constantly comparing yourself to others. It's crucial to prioritize how you feel within yourself, rather than worrying about the opinions and actions of those around you.

One of the most effective ways to achieve this shift is by practicing what I call "Lovingly Unplug" on a daily basis, which is the first practice in Chapter 1 of my book, Radical Embodiment: A Practical Guide to Celebrating the Skin You’re In. 

This practice involves setting aside at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time both in the morning after waking up and in the evening before going to bed. During this time, it's important to disconnect from technology, such as phones, news, emails, and TV, and instead prioritize this time for yourself. 

You can use your Lovingly Unplug time to take deep breaths, engage in gentle movement that feels good for your body, or indulge in self-care activities such as moisturizing your skin or practicing meditation. You can also reflect on your day by journaling or engaging in other mindfulness practices.

It's essential to take a few moments when you first wake up to check in with yourself and observe how you're feeling. Setting aside 30 minutes for this practice can allow you to go beyond surface-level observations such as "I'm good" or "I'm tired" and dive deeper into your emotional state. By asking yourself how you're truly feeling and what you need based on those feelings, you can gain greater insight into your inner world. This step alone can significantly benefit your overall well-being.

Making a habit of connecting with yourself, especially first thing in the morning, can have a significant impact on your day. By taking this time to ground yourself, you will be less likely to be influenced by external factors or perceptions of how others may be judging you. Additionally, if you notice any feelings of insecurity arising, this practice can help you identify them more quickly and choose a more loving thought or action. By pausing, taking a breath, and questioning the validity of your negative thoughts, you can begin to shift your mindset and cultivate a greater sense of confidence and self-assurance.

If you're struggling with feelings of insecurity in your body, I’d strongly encourage you to take this powerful step of prioritizing this practice of Lovingly Unplugging. This practice can be thought of as a way of honoring and showing reverence for your body, by setting aside dedicated time to turn inward and focus on your own needs and wellbeing. By taking this time to come back within, you can begin to shift your focus away from external factors and cultivate a more positive and empowered relationship with your body.

I hope this email and message was supportive to you and inspires you to carve out some intentional time of reverence for yourself upon your waking and sleeping hours. 

If you find yourself struggling with your body image and are ready to put an end to the ongoing struggle, I welcome you to schedule a call with me. During this call, my goal is to help you learn how to connect with your body, reduce the constant mental chatter of negative body talk, and provide you with a practical step to initiate your embodiment practice. My intention is to support you in finding a deeper sense of connection and acceptance towards your body. If it seems like a fit, I will invite you into my 12-week coaching program.

So much love to you on this journey towards loving our bodies more & more every single day <3