You Gotta Show Up - Advice From A Body Image Therapist
You Gotta Show Up!
For your current self. The previous versions or yourself. And, for what you envision your future self to feel like when you engage in your world.
This is something that feels important to remind ourselves and practice regularly.
Showing up. For you.
I know for me, it's all too easy to get lost in the busyness of life. Mom'ing. Therapist'ing. Partnering. Friending. Business owning. Trying to get through the day'ing.
With all the noise, all of the tasks, all of the mental and physical energy that's pouring out of my very being... at times, it's a bit scary to come back and show up for me. To show up for what is. To show up for the needs that are going unmet.
To refill my own damn cup.
It's scary because it's vulnerable. It can scary because it's connected. And being connected invites feeling the things. The things we maybe? (definitely lol) don’t want to feel.
It's scary because showing up for yourself, like to really show up for yourself, can feel like an invitation to respond to yourself differently- like speaking a new language.
When you think about your relationship with yourself, how would you characterize it?
Loving? Compassionate? Validating?
Harsh? Cold? Critical?
knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming when you're healing your relationship with yourself and/or your relationship with your body.
step 1 is to show up.
Become aware of how your relationship with yourself is feeling and acknowledge how it is feeling. Not in a critical way, but in a way that's bolstered in acceptance. There is no good or bad about it. The fact of the matter is that it just is.
Next, try to identify three characteristics in your closest relationships that make it feel like a supportive, warm, and safe place to be in the foundation of those relationships.
For example empathy, trust, and validation.
Now, can you begin to embody those qualities in your relationship with yourself? In your relationship with your body?
Keep in mind that your relationship with yourself is still a relationship. It needs to be nurtured if it is going to grow and change. Foster it. Repair it.
Show up for it.
My goal as a trauma therapist and body image counselor is to support you as you navigate this journey in any way I can. That’s why I created a new guide to support you in developing a foundation for understanding and improving your self-image and body image.
Check it out and save it by clicking here.
imagine the beauty of showing up for yourself by embodying your values and what is most important to you in your relationships.
You begin to build trust with yourself.
Then, you begin to understand what is calling you to be taken care of.
By shifting away from the external narrative of what "should" be, you begin to come home and connect with what is and what you might need.
Get Support With Online Therapy in Pennsylvania!
I hope the guide is supportive as you work to understand and reclaim your relationship with your mind, body, and food. Our therapists are here to support you, as a part of Reclaim’s Misson and Vision. Reach out here if you need support.
🧡,
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Reclaim Therapy in Pennsylvania is a specialized therapy practice that provides in-person and online therapy in Pennsylvania for people struggling with Eating Disorders, Body Image, Trauma, Loss, and Grief.
We are a group of trauma therapists who are passionate about helping people reconnect minds and bodies so that they can find peace and joy in their everyday lives. Call now for support!