Peace, Joy & Body Acceptance: Body Positive Gift Guide
For the last post in the PJBA series I wanted to focus on something a bit more light hearted like the Body Positive Gift Guide: ideas to gift the person in your life (or yourself!) that is wanting to change their relationship with their body instead of attempting to change their body this season. There are 3 segments: Experiences, Books, & Shops.
EXPERIENCES
1.Curated Day of Pampering and Self-Care
Plan a spa day or self-care experience that includes activities like massages, aromatherapy, or a sensory deprivation float. Focus on relaxation and creating a nurturing environment where they can feel at ease in their body. Follow up with a gift basket of body oil & candles (I recommend grabbing some from Wildwood Creek!), body lotion, and epsom salts to create their own home spa days. Bonus points if you find massage therapists or locations that are size inclusive to reduce the anxiety your friend or family member may fear when entering a new space where their body is on display!
2. Art or Writing Therapy Session
Arrange for a creative outlet such as a guided art or journaling session with a professional who integrates body image work into their practice. Expressive arts can help the person process feelings and develop a deeper connection with themselves. My friend Miranda leads mirror painting workshops or you can head to your local pottery class to make booby or belly pots! Using art as a means to see bodies is a powerful experience.
3. Movement Class Focused on Joy (Not Appearance)
Gift a membership or pass to a dance, yoga, or movement class that prioritizes joyful movement over aesthetic goals. Options like intuitive dance, gentle yoga, or inclusive fitness classes can help them reconnect with their body in a positive way. Extra bonus if you join them and do it together - this improves mental health overall: movement + relationships + a body inclusive experience - heck yes!!
4. A Body Embrace Session
Book a session with a photographer who specializes in body-positive or empowering photography (AHEM! Click this link to chat with me). This experience can help the recipient see themselves through a compassionate and artistic lens, celebrating their unique beauty. For this one, though, I need to stress that A)it is integral that you do your research before you book a photographer or buy a gift card to a photographer - you want to make sure they are someone who truly walks the walk as well as talks the talk. and B)ensure this is something your friend/family member has mentioned interest in in the past!
BOOKS
1. The Geode Theory: Chipping Away at Body Image by me!
The Geode Theory is a good starting place for folks beginning their journey to body acceptance or if they’ve been on the journey for awhile. With homework at the end of every chapter and my personal stories, the reader will walk away with a better appreciation for their glorious bods! You can grab it here!
2. 2200 Characters or Less by me!
My 2200 Characters or Less is for the person who thrives on bite sized readings for inspiration and affirmation. I created this book to be used in the oracle card fashion, where you flip to a page and that’s the message you are to receive that day! With over 400 different pieces of writing, this book is rooted in self discovery. You can grab it here!
3. Homecoming: Tales of Travel, Discovery & Self Acceptance by me!
Homecoming is for the person who is in the midst of their own transitionary, self growth phase and shedding of shame. I share the stories of my youth that piled on the shame and stories of my present with how I’ve undone that shame in order to move forward and become the person I am today in an effort to help everyone else realize that they aren’t alone in all of the feelings that come with being human. You can grab it here!
4. Body of Truth by Harriet Brown
This book was one of the ones that helped me make sense of why we feel the way we do about our bodies and our relationship to the word “Fat”. I highly recommend this as a read for anyone on a body acceptance journey! Grab it here!
5. Loving What Is by Byron Katie
This book single handedly changed how I process my expectations of the people and world around me. It helped me let go of so many things that I held onto just for the sake of appeasing my old narratives and the stories that kept me “comfortable. I recommend this in almost every workshop and talk that I give I love it so much. Grab it here!
6. The Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
I love the perspective of this book and similar to The Geode Theory, Sonya gives exercises throughout the book to help you get curious and move through different body experiences. I appreciate Sonya’s approach to ableism as it pertains to body image and would recommend this for anyone who is fighting against societal expectations of what they think their body “should be”. Grab it here!
SHOPS
Body inclusive jewellery
There’s this thing in psychology called “Primers” - essentially, things you look at that remind you of something. Jewellery is a great way to “prime” our mindset towards body acceptance in a beautiful way. A few of my favourite jewellery retailers are: Reesabobeesa, Zaleska, and Tailored Body Jewelery
2. Gift cards to body inclusive clothing designers
While not everyone who struggles with body image struggles to find clothing, it can be helpful on their journey to body acceptance to encourage them to shop at places that cater to all sizes. Here are a few of the designers who create some one of a kind, custom or size inclusive pieces. Loudbodies, Selkie, Thunderpants, & Hello Darling Co are a few of the ones I love to invest in and I believe most offer gift cards!
3. Body Love Coffee/Tea Mugs
I might be a bit biased here, because I looooove a good tea and coffee cup. I will literally scour the thrift store in hopes to find a cool design or delightful image, so when it comes to body acceptance there are a few illustrators out there doing an awesome job of bringing body inclusivity to your hot beverage routine. Check out eatmielies for their glorious “love your lumps and love your bumps” mug or take a peek at amphora ceramics boob mugs!
4. Body Acceptance merch
Have your friend/family member wear their self love on their sleeve…or chest…or bag. I’ve compiled a bunch of really fun products in my printful shop that are geared towards self and body acceptance so I highly recommend checking those out! (Plus, you can get things drop shipped directly to your people!!)
