Many people struggle with cycles of shame and lack of acceptance for their bodies.
These thought patterns quite often come from a fear of not being loved or accepted, manifesting their way into body shaming
Ingrained belief patterns associated with our movements, looks and bodies are prevalent in our society and may manifest as 'fat-phobia', ableism and racism.
It is an act of self-preservation to follow these belief patterns. However, a eurocentric status of beauty still encompasses our society, consciously and unconsciously. We must take it upon ourselves to dismantle them and realise the associations we apply to our bodies and how they may influence our behaviours and comments. This will help you to become more supportive of others, aware of triggering comments, and become an ally to people of all body types.
Be compassionate of yourself for these beliefs, and do not let the shame of holding them stand in your way of unlearning.
Follow a diverse network of influencers to expand your perception and learn from others.
Here are some examples:
Lauren 'Lolo' Spencer @itslololove
Adrienne Bennett @adriennebennett
Anna Chapman @iamannachapman
Chella man @chellaman
Da’Shaun L. Harrison @dashaunlh
Aubrey Gordon @yrfatfriend
Caleb Lua @chairbreaker
Remember, the body you are in affects the perspective you have in accepting (and hopefully) loving your body.