This is gorgeous Ehae. It’s an interesting thing this body - year by year, decade by decade - how it does become less forgiving and less forgetful of my poor choices. How it protests when I wake up from falling asleep on the couch or requires a bit of a stretch before I unfold myself out of bed in the morning. I am more preoccupied with thoughts about my body these days than I have ever been. Asking questions like “is it desireable?”, “is it beautiful?”, “is it strong?” - wishing I had been kinder to it, wishing I had appreciated it and shown it off more (before babies especially), and trying to be kinder to it now. I also have to be aware of how I talk about my body in front of my girls so hopefully they will be less preoccupied about it in the age of social media and access to so many voices and images reflecting what a beautiful body is. Thank you for sharing this reflection.
Thanks so much Mayowa for reading, and for your really beautiful words! Yes it really is such a complex relationship we have with our bodies, and it is interesting how it changes over time, but the kindness and self-love, like you said, is so important, and its wonderful that your girls have this role-modelling. Thank you again!
Beautiful! Really enjoyed reading this, Ehae.
Thank you Ramya!
"I wonder if I would have picked differently." This line stood out to me. Ehae, this is really beautiful.
Thank you so much ☺️
This is gorgeous Ehae. It’s an interesting thing this body - year by year, decade by decade - how it does become less forgiving and less forgetful of my poor choices. How it protests when I wake up from falling asleep on the couch or requires a bit of a stretch before I unfold myself out of bed in the morning. I am more preoccupied with thoughts about my body these days than I have ever been. Asking questions like “is it desireable?”, “is it beautiful?”, “is it strong?” - wishing I had been kinder to it, wishing I had appreciated it and shown it off more (before babies especially), and trying to be kinder to it now. I also have to be aware of how I talk about my body in front of my girls so hopefully they will be less preoccupied about it in the age of social media and access to so many voices and images reflecting what a beautiful body is. Thank you for sharing this reflection.
Thanks so much Mayowa for reading, and for your really beautiful words! Yes it really is such a complex relationship we have with our bodies, and it is interesting how it changes over time, but the kindness and self-love, like you said, is so important, and its wonderful that your girls have this role-modelling. Thank you again!