There are a lot of worthy causes in the world. More than can possibly be listed, and every one of them serious and important and potentially life-altering. And we all have a limited amount of time and energy to dedicate to our causes and beliefs and battles, so we can’t all contribute to everything. Working towards a positive, peaceful, accepting body image may seem like such an insignificant goal, comparatively speaking. But here’s why I think that cultivating positive body image matters. read more

The diet industry is built upon the idea that there is one good body. One right body. One beautiful body. The plastic surgery industry is positioned to help you come as close as possible to that one good, right, beautiful body should the diet industry fail you. Photos and film footage of the one good body are everywhere, and we cannot help but absorb them.

But if variety is the spice of life, if genetic diversity is essential to species survival, if different is good, then why do we believe it? Why do we believe that the traits that make us unique are bad, that they’re “flaws,” that they must be changed or eradicated? Why do we believe that we must strive for physical homogeneity? Why do we believe that there is one good body, one right body, one beautiful body? read more

I believe that learning to love your body is vital.

I believe that learning to love your body – no matter what that body looks like, feels like, has done, will do, or won’t do – can help you lead a more fulfilling life.

I believe that learning to love your body through acceptance and patience, understanding and tenderness, can open you up to a world of opportunities and joy.

But I don’t believe that learning to love your body is easy or quick or a process that can be accelerated. It can take a long time. A really, frustratingly long time. It can take years or decades. It might even take most of your lifetime. read more