Client Quote #42: body checking

It can be so easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to other bodies we see on social media. In fact, algorithms make it their mission that you do. Ever notice doom scrolling coincides with shame spirals? It makes sense why we then get very practiced at nitpicking every “flaw” in our body and going straight to finding ways to attain some kind of body ideal- smaller, bigger, more toned, more defined, more plump, more shapely, less shapely…etc.

So what do we do? Avoid the mirrors forever? Avoid social media forever? Of course not, even though the latter could be very helpful. But in being realistic, it’s important to build up our internal resilience towards outside messages that elicit shame. This can come from working with a therapist on building self-compassion, changing the internal narrative we have about ourselves, and moving towards a more peaceful relationship with the body. We don’t have to gaslight ourselves into blind body positivity but the way we speak to ourselves does really matter.

We all know social media is a highlight reel. It does not depict the complexity of what a person looks like in the day to day reality of their lives. Despite this knowing, the impact of an image and video is powerful. We need to set an intention to curate what we see.