Embrace your Body. Today, I invite you to join me on a journey of self-acceptance and empowerment. Embracing your body is not just a fleeting notion. It is a lifelong commitment to honoring the vessel that carries you through this adventure called life.

As I sit down to pen these words, I find myself at the heaviest I have ever been. It is tempting to attribute it solely to the tumult of the pandemic, but the truth runs deeper. These past few years have been a rollercoaster, and neglecting my well-being has taken its toll. Insomnia has become a constant companion, and forgetting to nourish myself has become far too frequent.

But let us not dwell on the past. Instead, let us seize this moment as an opportunity for growth and transformation. Together, we will navigate the complexities of self-care and redefine our relationship with food and body image. It is an empowering journey but requires you to take one step at a time. Inner strength and kindness are our allies.

Embrace Your Body—It is a Choice

When I made the conscious decision to prioritize myself, let me tell you, it is not a walk in the park. There are days that have tested my resolve, but I refused to let them dim my determination. Instead, I zeroed in on the aspects of my life that I could readily improve—those within my control. This strategy offered a much-needed equilibrium amid the more challenging moments. Thus, I redirected my energy towards nurturing my skin, refining my appearance, bolstering my health, and cultivating my surroundings. Do I get it right every day? No! But I keep going and I still am.

Gazing into the mirror used to be a dreaded ordeal, a stark reminder of my insecurities. Getting dressed felt like a game of chance. More often than not, it ended in disappointment. Each outfit change was met with a barrage of negative self-talk and a sinking feeling of inadequacy. To make matters worse, my skin began acting up again, adding another layer of frustration to the mix. The combination of acne flare-ups and a dwindling desire to dress myself created a less-than-ideal scenario.

I will admit, I was not always kind to myself during this phase. Comparison became my constant companion, and the narratives I spun in my mind were far from flattering. But you know what? That is all in the past now [most times]. I have embarked on a journey of self-love and acceptance, and there is no turning back.

We Have the Power to…

With each passing day, I am learning to embrace my body, flaws and all. And I am rewriting the stories I tell myself into ones of empowerment and positivity. Continuing to shed those extra pounds and striving to be better than I was yesterday is a journey I am fully committed to. After all, are we not all a work in progress in one way or another? But this is my choice, my decision—yours could be different.

Giving Myself Grace and Love

Feeling stuck and adrift, I knew I needed to take action, but the path forward was not clear. So, I started small, challenging myself to speak kindness into my reflection each time I faced the mirror. Gradually, I shifted my focus towards gratitude, embracing all that I have and where I currently stand. My thirst for knowledge led me down the path of body positivity, devouring every piece of literature I could find on the subject.

Yet, the true triumph came when I made peace with my present circumstances. Despite my body and life not aligning with my ideal vision, I made a conscious decision to shower myself with love and appreciation every single day, every step of this journey.

In today’s world, the message of body positivity can sometimes get tangled up, with society wrongly equating it to either passively accepting being overweight and unhealthy. Or resorting to extreme measures to shed pounds. As women, too often our choices are dictated by external forces. But it is time to reclaim that power. It is time to prioritize our bodies, nourishing them with the care and attention they deserve. Time to embrace our bodies, honoring them with the love and care they have been longing for.

For me, it is about recognizing that while striving for good health is paramount, so is loving and accepting myself along the way.

When Emma proposed the idea of featuring inspirational quotes in an article, it struck a chord with me. It felt like I could extend a helping hand to someone who might be grappling with the same struggles I am currently facing.

Emma reminded me that “Beauty isn’t about being perfect; it’s about loving yourself.” It is about embracing your body, accepting and taking care of it.

QUOTES TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE YOU TO EMBRACE YOUR BODY

To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Your words have so much power. Every day, if you tell yourself ‘I love you,’ if you give yourself one word of validation, it will change your mind.

Ashley Graham

No amount of self-improvement can make up for any lack of self-acceptance.

Robert Holden

Most important, in order to find real happiness, you must learn to love yourself for the totality of who you are and not just what you look like.

Portia de Rossi

The most important day is the day you decide you’re good enough for you. It’s the day you set yourself free.

Brittany Josephina

Loving your body is about being comfortable in your body, and only you get to set the parameters of that.

Only you get to decide what that looks like, and only you know where the finish line is. Never let anyone make you feel ashamed about what you decide, or don’t decide, to put on your body.

Brittany Gibbons

Step away from the mean girls and say bye-bye to feeling bad about your looks. Are you ready to stop colluding with a culture that makes so many of us feel physically inadequate?

Say goodbye to your inner critic, and take this pledge to be kinder to yourself and others.

Oprah

Confidence is the only key. I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.

Emma Stone

Knowing that I feel good because I am being diligent about taking care of myself mentally, physically, and emotionally creates self-esteem.

Chrissy Metz

By speaking of ourselves in a positive and affirmative fashion and finding ways to eradicate self-hate, by speaking kindly about ourselves and those around us, we can foster a sense of love and compassion powerful enough to restructure our society’s entire perspective of body-love.

Jessamyn Stanley

Wrapping Up Our Curated List of Embrace Your Body Quotes

If you found value in this thoughtfully curated collection of quotes, do not hesitate to spread the love. Share it with someone who might benefit and drop a comment below, sharing your favorite quote for embrace your body. Let’s celebrate self-love together!

The introduction was written by Nat and quotes were compiled by Emma.