Monday 13 February 2023

Jan-year-ary, FebrUary!

Jan-year-ary was long but now gone, and February is flying by.

I know we're past the "Happy New Year" ph(r)ase but I've not said it to you yet, so here we are. We're now closer to Spring with the evenings getting lighter. Yeah! I don't know about you, but I'm just recovering from what felt like a year last month, so the season change can't come soon enough! 

Looking back, though, here are three things and thoughts from January.

One of my self-care plans was to break my habit of hibernating until the weather gets warmer. I made sure I had a few good reasons to get outside, and walking my borrow dog Winston was a big one especially when I combined it with meeting people a few times to max out on the positive vibes. I am not one for exercise, don't always move enough and rebel a bit because so much physical activity is linked to losing pounds. That said, movement matters - getting out and about has helped with my mood and my aches, and I plan to do it more to help with my sleep too.

The weather may have been dreary but I wore colour to combat that, and to hold on to the Christmas vibe, and that meant red and green were my colours of the month. In my card deck, I talk about colour as part of the D is for Dress reflection because I'm a great believer in the impact of colour on and creating a mood. Our wellbeing is about our environment and what we put on, as well as what we put in our bodies (in my humble opinion).

Social-media-wise I did a post on LinkedIn about going back to work and snuck in a reminder for people to be mindful of 'New Year, New You' and exercise/diet chat which had 1,978 impressions. As you may know, it's a regular thing for me to push back on such narratives, and I also posted "5 ways to push back" on the subject in my Facebook group. As some of us move into Lent (February through March), I'd say the same again. (IYKYK)

In general the month was long and had its challenges, and* it was also pretty good... on reflection! 

*Note that 'and' giving space for both - replace 'but' with 'and' for a softer take on plenty πŸ˜‰


And now, here we are in February...

The big news at this point is that I finally took a long-overdue trip to get my hair done! That might sound like a 'so what?', but for me, it's an important act of self-care (look at the blogs labelled 'hair' and you'll get it).

Given Valentines Day (and Galentines) is upcoming, look out for lots on self-love but remember, self-care can happen even in the absence of 'self-lurve!' and simply being respectful, neutral and kind to yourself is important - more important, and often less expensive and harder than the marketers will tell you such as setting boundaries, speaking kindly to and about yourself, saying no and just having a proper rest. And actually, that is all part of self-love! 


Another pretty big (less 'me') thing is that I've added a few new products to my Etsy shop. One of the themes is a black beauty statement, and the other is related to the most popular card in the Affirmation Deck (back to that self-love point again) according to buyers and friends. Please take a look, spread the word and tell me what else you'd be interested in. 

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So, how have the first six weeks of the year been for you and what's up next? I hope Jan-year-ary wasn't too bad for you and that there are lots of loves to live for in FebrUary... take care of U and don't forget to find time for self-care (and self-love if you can) with all the talk of romance that will soon be upon us!

Back soon with more Feb in focus, take care until then.

Denise x

 

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Tuesday 18 October 2022

Body Confidence and Menopause

Today is "World Menopause Day" - something that didn't get spoken of just one generation ago. Thanks to Davina McCall starting with "Sex, Myths and the Menopause" the UK is amplifying talk of menopause of late - even in workplaces, and I remain here for it as I continue to navigate (peri?-)menopause.

As my body changes - more tummy, less waist; more skin issues, less hair - I've obviously reflected on the impact of these changes on my body image, and what I might offer the menopause and body confidence communities I am part of.

I'd suggest nobody is body confident all the time, and I know I'm certainly not. That's why there's a focus on body neutrality - the idea that we should focus on accepting our bodies as they are, and on what they can do (though the latter part requires consideration with regards to ableism). Body neutrality is a good base for coping with Menopause and Perimenopause changes to our bodies, and to add to that I've been telling myself the following:


https://bit.ly/3ELo0lA

There are some great Facebook pages, Twitter and Instagram accounts offering more ideas along with community, humour and information. I've personally engaged with 'Perimenopost' run by Lorna Ives, and mindful that experiences are different for black and brown women*, I have engaged with Nina from Black Women in Menopause and Karen Arthur on the subject also.

Find out more about Lorna's work at www.perimenopost.com, follow Karen Arthur's "Menopause Whilst Black" (great on Insta) and Nina is best found on Twitter.

What are your thoughts and tips in this space? 

Stay Fabulous,
Denise.


*I cannot comment on the experience of other minority groups such as the trans community hence the absence of any reference. Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with me respectfully.


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Thursday 6 October 2022

A peom

Happy National Poetry Day 2022.

The theme: Environment. This works... as we live in our bodies and need to create a safe mind-space for it, so here we are!

A poem by me. Enjoy 😊

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFOTu6TTxw/view for a clearer view,


Does it resonate for you?

What would your "Dear Body" poem say?

If poetry doesn't work for you, why not freefall write your thoughts or write a standard letter and post it to yourself.

All the Best, Dx



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Monday 30 May 2022

Got out of my head!

Got into some art!

I'm just going to start by saying this title has got me singing Billy Ocean, but that's not the point of this blog, so moving onπŸ˜„...

Anyway. Last week was definitely one of ups and downs (not that I seem to have many that just pootle along), and so I had to be really minded of my mental health and wellbeing. I was struggling to get some reports written and the harder I tried to sit and focus the more frustrated I became.

Something I'm pretty good at is giving myself a talking to and taking the advice I'd give others both from a HR perspective and a body confidence one. There were various things I could do, but I realised that one of them was to take a break and do something creative. As fate (or faith) would have it I came across a community message about a mixed media workshop taking place and signed up for it straight away. I booked two tickets and encouraged my son to come with me.

It was great for both of us. He got out of his room. I got out of my head. For a few hours we created, chatted and competed (with ourselves piece by piece, rather than each other much), supported and encouraged by Yvonne.


We created four pieces each, each of them unique. Each of them created simply working with what materials we given - from old magazines to scraps of material. I realised that each piece I'd created represented a different aspect of me, at the moment. And all of them are works in progress that could be tweaked a little more... or accepted just as they are, they don't need more and chances are I'd 'ruin' them if I kept going because art isn't meant to be perfect - whatever that is. Tweaked or left, no grand and sweeping changes are required as they are already special. 

That's you/us too - Working with what we've got. Unique. Special. 

So many lessons in just two hours including:

  • Movement is good
  • Breathing and just sitting still (with yourself) for a bit is also good
  • Company is good
  • Art is good
  • Abandon is good (in a safe space)
  • Learning new things or new ways is good
  • We have many parts to ourselves
  • And we are many things
  • Each part plays a part
  • Each part is valuable
  • Sometimes we've done enough
  • Sometimes things are left unfinished
  • Aiming for 'perfect' can lead to 'ruin'
  • Things get messy, messy is ok
  • Just make sure and wash your hands and clear up after
  • Starting and getting something down is better than not starting at all
  • We deserve to get out of our heads
  • It is healthy to get out of our physical spaces too
  • We are created to be creative
  • We can only work with what we've got
  • We are art ourselves - unique and special
  • We are enough


So, do whatever works for you. For some people it's exercise, for others getting into nature and for others it's about rustling something up in the kitchen or their sewing room. Different things will work at different times. And sometimes, doing nothing is the best thing. Reflect. Repeat what works. Even revisit what didn't work this time. Enjoy.

I wish you well, Denise.



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PS - I made progress on one report today and one deadline was eased so I'm defo more confident I'll get it done well now. Phew!

PPS - go follow Yvonne on Insta.

Monday 2 May 2022

In the rear-view - April reflections

I’m on my 4th newsletter and one of the regular sections has been “In the Rear View” where I look at what’s been going on in the BC space or for me in the previous month...

...So far, I’ve not been stuck for points to reflect on and this month is no different in many ways. However, this month a couple of reflections may be quite triggering, so to give people more a choice to engage I'm sharing them as a blog. The two hot topics of April have been the adding of calories to menus, and talk of skinning shaming following a post by Matt Lucas. So below, I share a few reflections. In addition, I‘m really pleased to say that I’ve been working on a few other related activities, that have been much more positive.

  • Calories on Menus πŸ“‘

The hot topic in the BI space at the moment is that as of last month restaurants with over 250 outlets have to show calories on their menus. There is no middle-of-the-road on this one for me (which is rare), and I find the decision absolute baloney - it's so damn lazy and lacking in foresight.


Luckily, people like Hope Virgo have shared ways around it such as eating at small, independent local places and asking others to read menus to you. Like the BMI, this is not really a medically inspired intervention - it stigmatises food, takes the joy out of eating out, hampers progression from eating disorders (ED’s), and doesn’t address the myriad of reasons why people are (fat aka) in higher weight bodies.


Perhaps my biggest issue though is that calories don’t equal healthy, any more than thinness does. Calories do not tell us the actual nutritional value of food and can be misleading in this context. And there's more if we start to consider what 'healthy' means, defined by who, too! Let's just say we should all remember good mental health and happiness are indicators of health; and that health is broad, for example, links to socio-economic status.


As you’ll know I’m not anti-dieter and recognise the many reasons people choose to diet, but I am anti-diet industry misrepresentations and manipulation. I’m not the expert on this, but please check out the numerous news articles on the subject and follow those such as Hope and the FatDoctor for their perspectives on social media, because the views from Dr. Hillary Jones just ain’t the ones.

  • The shame of 'Skinny-Shaming' πŸ—«

Comments made to Matt Lucas have (re)started the conversation around so call skinny-shaming. The last time it was a hot topic in my brain was the backlash to Megan Trainer's (still catchy) "All about the Base". Body shaming is never ok. Making unsolicited comments on another person's body, even if you think you are being positive, is rarely a good idea (ask if you need me to expand) and you even need to tread very carefully responding to a person's ask of your opinion.


Let's be serious though, skinny shaming - whilst as painful for an individual as any form of body shaming - just isn’t as broad and deep a structural societal issue as fatphobia. (Please be clear I am not saying it isn’t an issue - I know you have to shop special as size 4 as well as at anything over an 18).


In reality, and to be clear, ANY & ALL BODY SHAMING NEEDS TO GO IN THE BIN. Any body commentary is a risk when said/ heard directly or indirectly. Instead, think about complimenting a person for something else. Say nothing. Talk about how something makes a person feel. Point out the positive. Seek to understand their negative thinking or need for validation. Just try something different, be different - there are enough body image messages already.

  • Other stuff πŸ“°

In the last month, 'Damson Belle' put their toe back in the image consulting pool and I’ve got back to doing colour analysis. I’ve also delivered an updated Body Happy Kids (BHK) workshop and been developing a Body Confidence (BC) journal.


Doing colour analysis is such a joy giver and bringer - I'm very happy to say my client was very happy. I'm looking forward to doing a style session soon, but I will be applying more of a BC approach to it.


Doing BHK workshops underpins the work I do with young adults and adults. Issues later in life are often a result of unresolved childhood challenges and narratives, so being part of an organisation that starts the conversation early is so important to me.


As for the Body Confidence journal - I am working with a few people to get it right including two coaches and a Doctor, as well as my designer the superb Ces Loftus. I’m just putting it out there in the hope it gives me a nudge, but that’s all I can say on it for now.


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Phew, it’s been a deep and busy month!


Hope all is well with you!


As for me, I better finish the actual newsletter!

Take care, Dx






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T: @_BodyConfidence
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Saturday 9 April 2022

Thoughts from a fall!

And other issues...


How often do you take the workings of your body for granted?

I suspect many of us take the things we are able to do for granted, such is

the focus on looking and feeling good in society. 


As I prepared my newsletter, I reflected on last month during which I had

not one but three reminders to be ‘grateful’* for living largely pain free in

a body that doesn't need society to make reasonable adjustments -

especially as it, and many of us, are oblivious to what adjustments truly

need to be made.


The first was that my boy was in pain with a knee condition (he’ll be fine),

and secondly I had a sore leg and hip (I am fine).



Both may cause long-term niggles... O’s issue is manageable but not funny,

mine was avoidable-ish and had a tinge of the comedic about it.

Yes, folks, I took a cartoon style tumble into mud on a walk during A pause outdoors – TheKateOutdoors. Mud - 1. Ego - 0.


In my case, I am glad I can laugh about it and glad for the reminder to

appreciate the home I am/we are.


The third reminder however was a much bigger one, and will require

major adjustments for a loved one.

All I'll add is please don't ignore health warning signs, especially you men.


If, and when, your body talks folks... Please, listen.

Denise x

(*Note: I have tried not to be ableist in this piece, but welcome feedback
on how it might be not so in the future if any of this was insensitive)






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Friday 11 February 2022

It's Encanto's diversity for me...

...Beyond (not) talking about Bruno!


I finally saw Encanto, woo hoo!

Lots of talk about Luisa, and rightly so but there's more - there's... 
(in alphabetical order, no favouritism here!)


Luisa is the - some-might-say - surprising star of the film for her strength and size, combined with her expressions of vulnerability. She is not your typical Disney female, and yet it is her (less available) merchandise that is apparently sought after.

I am so here for it!And I have another reason for loving it - my brand journey started with my own Mirabelle (spelt differently) who, like me, has the butterfly as a symbol. However, I can't talk about Disney movies without at least a mention of the issues surrounding them, such as the battle there was for the Luisa we have, stereotypical princesses and 'he'roes, why the name Bruno?* (unless just for the song!) and the latest controversy being the Snow White remake."Why does it matter?" you might ask, well... because stereotypes are limiting, the slim/pretty = healthy/good narrative is subtly divisive and damaging, and frankly representation matters. (Next up I look forward to black characters who remain human for a whole Disney movie, but I'll accept their progress and hang on to Wakanda!)

2-Year-Old Girl Reacts To Looking Like Mirabel From 'Encanto' - Edernet.org

There's lots more on this through Body Happy Kids, who I deliver training with, by the way - but, for now lets just go with the positive shift our love of Luisa brings.And before I go here's a few other kids shows/films I think deserve a shout-out (though they're not without some challenges also)- Brave: Merida the character was described as a 'tomboy' and proposed changes to her in merchandising, such as shrinking her waist size, sparked debate and were knocked back.
- Sing: showing talent comes in all shapes and sizes. (I need to see Sing2 soon)- Trollhunters: Jim Lake isn't the school star but turns hero and another show hero Toby, and his Grandma, are in higher weight bodies and love interests.
Wreck It Ralf: for it's anti-Princess and the big guy himself
- Zootropolis: breaks stereotype about what a petite person (character) can do and who the baddie can be.


What kid films would you shout out for body positive messages (where the baddie is fat and/scarred and the star isn't a stereotype of attractive for example)?

If you haven't seen Encanto or any of the above movies yet but now intend to, enjoy!
Denise x

*feel free to ask me more!



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