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Call A Truce With Body Image Demons Today

Call A Truce With Body Image Demons Today

Plus, make friends with shame and confidently dive into your goals.

Sol TV
December 14, 2023

This Newsletter at a Glance

🌧️ Does Shame Ever Go Away?

🌸 TL/DR: Make Friends With Your Shame

🌀 Sol Bites: 5 Ways to Stop a Shame Spiral

🎥 Video Bite: Melissa Impett on Releasing Shame

🌌 Words of Wisdom

Whether we know it or not, we all care about what people think of us—especially those we’re close to, like family, friends, and significant others. Reading self-help books or going to therapy doesn’t magically make us immune to feelings of embarrassment or humiliation.

Shame—body shame, cultural shame, or parental shame—is an emotion. And even though you can manage emotions by changing your perspective, improving your self-talk, and using other strategies, the truth is shame will always be something you experience.

That means you have to learn to live with it and not give it so much power.

TL/DR: Make Friends With Your Shame

Fact: If you try to avoid shame or embarrassment altogether, you’ll never get anything done.

Instead of trying to hide from it, embrace the possibility of feeling ashamed and practice pushing through it. Know that the more significant and ambitious your dreams, the more likely you'll face shame, criticism, and self-doubt. Once you’re willing to carry around feelings of shame, you can dive into your goals and make things happen with your work, art, body, passions, and relationships!

Sol Bites: 5 Ways to Stop a Shame Spiral

Belly Breaths

When you feel shame you might get anxious, and your breathing becomes shallow, heightening the sense of panic in your nervous system and increasing your stress level. When you feel that happen, take three deep belly breaths. Inhale through your nose, hold for three counts, and exhale for three counts through your mouth. Repeat as needed.

Talking It Out

Allowing stressful thoughts to linger gives them a chance to multiply and become more powerful. Instead of disregarding your shame, consider journaling or confiding in a trusted friend. Expressing fears and frustrations weakens their influence significantly.

Connecting With Your Goodness

Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes and jot down all the things you love about yourself. You can include big things—like being an amazing parent or friend—or small ones, like having beautiful long hair. Anything that makes you feel proud!

If you’re stuck, ask a loved one to tell you what they love about you. Then, take a moment to really feel it. Read your list aloud: "I adore my adorable feet." "I cherish my big, bouncy curls." "I love my mocha brown skin." "I'm grateful for being a compassionate, empathetic person." Speaking the words out loud helps your brain believe in their truth.

Moving

Research has proven that physical activity releases negative energy. To de-stress and regain focus, go for a bike ride, take a short walk, or have a little dance party. If those are too much, simply try shaking your body. Wiggle your hands, arms, feet, legs, torso, and head until you feel a change in your energy.

Checking Your Self-Talk

Practicing self-compassion is always a wise choice. If you feel shame, don’t get mad at yourself—especially if you’re in a compare and despair cycle. Society might pressure you to look or act a certain way, but you need to be kind to yourself and give yourself the love and gentle support you’d give your best friend. You’ll be proud of yourself for doing it.

Video Bite

Society has been telling us for years that we need to look a certain way to be beautiful, but it’s time to let go of our shame.

It's time to forgive yourself for ever doubting your inner light. Let's release the stories that whisper lies, telling us our divine bodies must look a certain way to belong.

Sol TV Creator, Melissa Impett helps us forgive ourselves for believing the lies. Release the negative thoughts and emotions you’ve been holding onto, and come back to deep self-compassion and gratitude for the one body you’ve been blessed with.

This is a reminder that you are worthy of love and respect, just the way you are.