Loving Yourself Unconditionally

At our multicultural summer camp, especially during our all-girls camp, we cover many topics from diversity, empowerment, to self-expression, leadership, and body image. One of our well-loved activities at camp is “Letter to a Body Part”, where we write a letter to one of our body parts expressing how much love we have for it—such as our eyes, stomach, hair, brain, etc.

Why should we tell our body we love it? I was recently browsing internet feeds and noticed a variety of posts either encouraging body acceptance or encouraging diets and other ways to change your body to look like the models we see so often on the runway or on the magazine covers. Both men and women get caught up in the notion they have to look a certain way to be successful in life. But, that’s not at all the message we want to be embracing! We should love every fiber of our being whether we’re tall, short, skinny, fat or just somewhere in the middle. We are all different no matter what society deems to be normal!

During my browsing, I came across a blog by Liz Casey called Big Body Beautiful— emphasizing that one should love oneself no matter what. Liz is by no means a tiny woman. In fact she has a slightly bigger build, but does that mean she hates her body? No. She loves her body and she keeps herself healthy. That is what is truly important here—health. We sometimes forget that as we strive to be that size 4 girl we see on a magazine cover—depriving our bodies of essential nutrients while trying to become something we are not. Instead, try being something you are familiar with… YOU! As we approach the seasons of colder weather, food-centered holidays, and sweet cravings, don’t deny those delicacies. Just continue to lead a healthy life being you!

For other tips on how to love your body big or small, read more from Liz’s blog here.