Celebrate Women: My Body, My Life

[holdouttrout]

This week's challenge at celebrate_women "Women's Bodies."

I looked at that, thought--"What can I possibly say that hasn't been said before?"

The truth is, I probably can't say something unique, or original, or "more right" than the other 80 bazillion people who have discussed this, at length, over and over again. But today has been such a huge day in terms of angry-making headlines, stories, and thoughts, that I just couldn't help myself.

I want something positive out of this day, so I'm making a list of what I want people to know about my body:



1. It's mine. I decide how to feed it, what to wear on it, how to move in it, who to let touch it, who to touch with it, where to go with it, and everything else possibly connected with it. You don't get to tell me what to do with it unless I ask you, and even then I'm just soliciting advice, not asking for a dictator.

2. It is what it is. I cannot change the shape of my nose, the fact that I grow wispy hairs on my chin, have short fingers, and it's debateable about whether I can even change much of its girth, which is impressive. At any rate, if you're complaining about it, there's not much I can do about it at that moment, and possibly nothing at all.

3. My body, although it occassionally rebels and/or gets injured, serves me quite well for the most part. In addition to neck-saving ninja rolls (even though they hurt my back), it allows me to walk, dance, play musical instruments, type, and sew. It also houses my brain, a part of me I consider important--whether you do or not.

4. For the most part, other people seem to be able to read my body language, facial expressions, and get along fairly well with my body--all things I consider to be important, based on my unending love for snarky conversation and open discourse.

On a related note, tigersvoice charged us with pledging to take back control of our bodies. In addition to the above, I pledge to:

~ Listen to what my body tells me about the foods I feed it, and adjust based on how they make me feel--not what other people tell me I should be eating.

~ Continue to speak up against youth-centric and destructive ideals of beauty.

~ Never try to pluck/chemically remove/wax my chin hairs again. Ow. Sorry, future friends/boyfriend/spouse/kids. You'll just have to deal with them.

~ Use sunscreen when I need it--no one knows better than I do how fair my skin really is.

~ Use my swim suits to go swimming. That's what they're for!

Comments

[mrspollifax.livejournal.com]

I think positive thoughts of any stripe are a good thing right now (well, anytime really, but particularly right now). I like yours very much. =)

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I had a very negative post all worked out, and then I said, "Screw this, I want to feel better."

[thekatebeyond.livejournal.com]

*cheers*

This is brilliant! Have 80 bazillion people discussed body image? Sure. But this is your body, your image, and that makes it unique and interesting and powerful. In fact, I can't remember the last time I read a more powerful statement than your point #1.

Your other points are interesting and thought provoking too. And I LOVE your pledges! Especially the phrase "youth-centric and destructive ideals of beauty." Well said! Very well said!

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

And I LOVE your pledges! Especially the phrase "youth-centric and destructive ideals of beauty."

I just get really tired when amazing women put themselves down because they look old. (I catch myself doing it, too, but I try not to.) Old is just a fact of life!

[cnidarian.livejournal.com]

Hear hear!

Celebrate women icons: http://community.livejournal.com/girlyb_icons/tag/people:+women if you are interested!

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link--I meant to get some, but I'm running right up against my userpic limit, and I had to get rid of some first!

:-)

[surreallis.livejournal.com]

YES. We'd all be better off if we could only find our way to this. And then keep reminding ourselves of it.

*yay!*

You're quite awesome in every way. :)

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Me and my ninja skillz are quite happy right now.

[la-tante.livejournal.com]

nicely said. and reassuring to be swimming in this big ocean with you. thanks!

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

I love swimming!

Oh, wait. You meant it metaphorically. ;-)

Thank you--I'm honestly a little surprised I'm getting so much reaction from this, but it's really cool. *grins*

[binkii822.livejournal.com]

This is an especially hard lesson to try to drive home to two adolescent girls. I applaud your words and your attitude!

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Being an adolescent is hard, and our society's standards of image and beauty just make it harder. I don't think it was this bad even when I was an adolescent, and that was not that long ago, really.

[beanpot.livejournal.com]

~ Listen to what my body tells me about the foods I feed it, and adjust based on how they make me feel--not what other people tell me I should be eating.

If you really listen, it will tell you. The other key is not to get upset when you fall off the wagon and only eat banana bread, cookie dough, and pretzels of doom for a week.

[annerbhp.livejournal.com]

Have you been spying on me, Bean? ;)

And word, sisters.

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

No, but I have, and I give daily reports on your eating habits. For some unfathomable reason.

*g*

[beanpot.livejournal.com]

No.

*hides cross-continental binocluars under sofa**

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

The hard part for me isn't emotional eating, it's unemotional eating. You know, where you're kinda ambivalent about whether or not you really want that piece of cheesecake, but it's cheesecake so of course you want it, don't you?

Yeah. I'm doing fine with intuitive eating as far as allowing myself to eat whatever I want (including vegetables yay!), but I'm still having trouble not eating things I don't want if I think I should still want them.

They never said intuitive eating was easy...just easier than dieting and starving yourself. *sighs*

I'll get it. And like you said, it's counterproductive to beat myself up over it.

[beanpot.livejournal.com]

A trick for me - and it only works about 1/3 of the time - is to drink a glass of water instead. Keeps my hands busy.

Or seltzer water with a lime if I want something interesting.

But then again - if it's anything with peanut butter and choc? All bets are off and get out of my way.

[ijemanja.livejournal.com]

Yes, to the holy Oh Em GEE yes. Especially about listening to our bodies about the foods we eat. I also think I need to work on not miring myself in guilt when I fail to do that.

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

I also think I need to work on not miring myself in guilt when I fail to do that.

I'm still working on that one, myself...

[annienau08.livejournal.com]

You?

Made. of. win.

It's always so much easier to rant than to try and take the time and find the positive spin on things (at least it is for me). So the fact that you managed to do that - and managed to come up with very awesome lessons that everyone should take note of?

Made. of. win.

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

*grins*

Bodies are rather funny things. :-)