Bodypositive: I learn to love my body as it is

Whatever my body looks like, it is mine, it is unique, and I need to learn to love it! I adopt the “body
positive” mindset in 3 steps: recognising the value of my body, changing the way I look at myself
and my appearance, and finally, practising self-compassion, a kind attitude with myself that may well
allow me to make peace with my body once and for all.

I cultivate gratitude: It is thanks to my body that I can do everything I like

Everything I do, see, hear, taste and every moment I enjoy in my life is possible because of my body.
Allowing room for recognition rather than self-criticism when I look in the mirror changes my
attitude towards my body. Whether I like the way it looks or not, it is the tool, the instrument that
connects me to life: isn’t that the best reason to take care of it and acknowledge its value? By
developing a sense of gratitude towards myself on a daily basis, I am taking a first step towards the
“body positive” state of mind that I am seeking.

I take a step back: I learn to see myself as I am without the filters created by society

Learning to look at one’s own body correctly is a decisive step toward learning to love oneself. I
observe my whole body, as often as possible, without judgement, holding my own gaze, walking my
eyes over each area, learning to appreciate this little beauty spot, fold or detail that makes my body
unique. I look at myself with the kind eye of a friend, and I talk about myself with the same words I
would use to reassure a loved one who wrongly denigrates his or her appearance.
I take the opportunity to make 3 resolutions:
● I stop comparing myself to others, whether to reassure myself by judging someone I don’t
know or to complain about someone I want to look like (human nature makes us envious of
what we don’t have).
● I sort out my influences on social networks and limit the time I spend on screens or in front
of magazines: I keep the inspiring and realistic publications and avoid retouched profiles,
which depict unattainable bodies.
● The time I save I spend taking care of myself because I deserve it: I list every part of me that
I like (yes, yes, there are some), I eat healthily and sleep well, I exercise to maintain this body
that I am beginning to love…

I discover self-compassion

If I still shy away from the idea of loving my body, it may be because I find it difficult or because I see
it as a kind of vanity, due to my culture, the way I was brought up or my personal opinions. In reality,

accepting one’s body as it is is enough to feel good and is not about worshipping one’s appearance
at any time.
Some specialists point out the difference between self-esteem, which implies having a high opinion
of oneself, and self-compassion, which simply consists of accepting without judgment that one is
not perfect. This practice, akin to mindfulness, is best worked on through meditation. I learn to talk
to myself as if to a friend and to look at things (including my body) as they are without necessarily
trying to transform them; I find peace and make good decisions. I take back possession of my body,
use it to its full potential, and take care of it.
To take my first steps towards this reconciliation with my physical appearance, I include the
Mindfulness & Self Compassion series in my training schedule. These walking meditations with Dr
Shauna Shapiro may well change my relationship with my body and the world around me for good.
For those in a hurry, session 5 is specifically dedicated to the “body positive” attitude.

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