Ready to start your own body image revolution?
So it’s Sunday morning, and I’m still researching for the right mix of women for a new Love Your Body project I’m working on.
It can be really hard going, because no matter how well-intentioned people are with their sites and blogs, it seems it takes a particular awareness or self-esteem or something else I haven’t quite identified, to stay clear about what positive body image means, what loving your body anyway - means.
Many people have such contraditory messages on their sites, and understandably so – there are such contradictory messages in the world. But when I find a person whose work and site is ticking all my boxes about self acceptance in your own skin, and then there’s a page about how they also offer a service holding you accountable for your weight loss, I get disappointed…. and move on.
So I was just *delighted* when I came across Operation Beautiful. This is a no-cost all-heart project that aims to change the way we women see the ourselves in the world. I know, and probably you do too, that women are way more critical of one another’s bodies and their own bodies, than men are.
Caitlin, the editor of Operation Beautiful, says her aim is to tell as many women as possible that “You are enough… just the way you are!”. I’m literally smiling all over my face as I write this, because it’s such a simple, practical, easy and powerful way to bring this message to women, anywhere in the world. It also honours the female way of being: aligning with other women in a caring subtle way.
It’s a body-loving extension of the random-acts-of-kindness pay-it-forward movement that birthed about ten years ago, a random act of kindness from one woman to strangers she’ll never meet, to shift their focus to the possibility that they are actually good enough! As a counsellor I know that almost every person walking this planet has that nagging little voice telling them all the things they’re not, and for the vast majority of women, the nagging is also about every part of their bodies.
Operation Beautiful is so beautiful in its simplicity too – all you need is a pen and a postit, and a message: You Are Beautiful. You are Good Enough. Smile, Beautiful. Or any other message you feel like writing. And then stick that on a mirror somewhere, or a car windscreen, or some other place a woman will see it.
Easy. Beautiful. Making a difference.
Gotta love it 
Gotta do it! Are you joining in too?
Hi Sandy
It’s great to read so many new posts on your site!
I was really happy when I read my name on the one about “I am what I am”
Thanks!
You do a great job surfing through all those sites finding the ones worth reading.
The one I like best at the moment is operation beautiful. I can’t wait to post all the positive statements I have been writing on post-it papers yesterday night! I think this would be fun: spreading them all over the city while shopping with my best friend. I’ll let you know…
A big hug from over here
Andrea
Hi Andrea – well a good idea is a good idea – I’m so glad you shared it
I’m also so glad that I’m now back to my passion with this site, having sold my share of my previous business that took so much of my time and energy. Some great things on the drawing board, stay tuned 
Andrea, how’s the post-it campaign going? Would love to hear, I think Operation Beautiful is such a great project, and so easy for us all to be involved in
Just read a few entries of your blob and I am reminded about what I said to my partner just last night. I said to him that today is the first day of MY LIFE that I LOVE every part of my body. Every part. Not just like all of it a bit. Or love some parts and not others. I have been “slim” body type all my life, yet I have NEVER liked my legs. There have always been bits of me at some point or other I haven’t liked. But today I’m loving every inch of my body.
I think body image and love of our bodies is definitely an “inside” job. Big thumbs up to your new blog, your new conference and endeavors!
Angela
Angela!
I’m wondering what brought that change for you, after all this time? Just the Shift (just…
) or something else?
I have trouble with my thighs and butt and try to disgiuse them with clothes. Sometimes that helps I feel more confident.
Brittany, it’s funny that the part of our body that are most womanly – breasts, thighs, butt, stomach – are the ones that most women are most unhappy with. Don’t you think? On Day 8 of the Body Bliss 101 Course you’ll do a bunch of tapping on all those body parts, and it’s interesting what happens
I do because they seem to be problem areas for most. Maybe men have similar issues ,but I doubt it.
Brittany, I think men do have some issues – like you know, size… and hair! But the hair attitude anyway is – “Okay so I’m losing my hair, well I’ll just OWN that, Now I’m Bald. So. What?” We women can learn a LOT from that attitude
How could we own problems areas more. Maybe we could do it like the men do just accept it. We are taught in some ways to be ashamed of ourselves maybe they get other messages that more accepting. Well got another show yesterday when visiting my friend. I would think that at that age would be consumed by modesty,but apparently not. Maybe they are socialized different or just wired differently , maybe combination. What do you think Sandy.
So they just own their problems instead of denying it.
I wasn`t sure if it even affected them.They seem to be oblivous to many things.I think I mentioned this before my neighbor`s 15 year old son walked out of the shower in front of me when I was visiting his mom. They have a body image problem opposite of women it seems.I`m thinking that comes from teen sports and the dressing arrangement there. It could be media message to that don`t be ashamed you will not be judged.