Csa-----is It Possible To Value Your Body?

[lostforgottensoul]

It's never going to be the same path as anyone else. There's no rule that says you need to do one thing before another. And if where you are at is, you can appreciate a cup of tea because it warms your throat and your belly - that's awesome! Do that. Do it even when you don't believe you deserve to feel anything nice. It'll all chip away at the bigger picture.

I like that view point!

 

[Sideways]

I advocate getting to neutral

This. In so many things, but definitely when it comes to my relationship with my body.

"valuing" my body, per se, isn't a priority for me personally, because I don't think I need to get that far to lead a content and fulfilling life. Would he nice for sure, but not one of the essentials for me.

But "accepting" my body - that's important. It's the form that I exist in the world, and at a very basic level, accepting my body is going to have to be part and parcel of accepting myself. It's flawed, but that's true for everyone on this planet. I can't get rid of it, I have to live in it every day.

More than that though, I actually need to look after my body if I'm going to have a chance at good mental health. My body and brain have certain requirements: sleep, nutrition, exercise, hygiene, sunlight... My whole body health is actually critical to my mental health, so finding a space where I can accept it, and look after it as an essential part of my recovery- that's a work in progress, but it is so important. It's really basic survival stuff.

And if I can make the first goal just plain 'acceptance', I don't struggle against that as much as all out 'valuing' it. Being able to shower because that's what my body needs, being able to eat right because that's what my body needs - my mind and my recovery need me to be able to reach a point where I can do those thjngs without the emotional torture that goes with it.

 

[Lotis]

Telling myself to accept my body wouldn't even work, when I could interact with it.

I do not accept my body in fact I hate it. :oops: I need to practice what I preach! It always sounds better when saying it to someone else but when I say "love your body" to myself I laugh out loud!

Personally, I struggle mightily with these when things are bad;

You are not the only one. When things are bad I neglect myself. I do TRY to always smell good though. :wacky:
~L

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I do not accept my body in fact I hate it. :oops: I need to practice what I preach!

We all have things we need to work on.

ETA: I meant its ok to help someone with something you also struggle with. Thats whats great about this site and we all learn from each other. :hug:

I like the idea of accepting rather than valuing and to enjoy the feeling of something warm in my throat and then in my belly. Thats a nice way to start to tune into your body and start to slowly accept in, care for it, and maybe even value it.

 

[Lotis]

I like the idea of accepting rather than valuing

Hmmm...you don't think that if you accept your body you value it? I guess not....
I can't accept my body because it has betrayed me and I can't value my body because it is disgusting and does not deserve to be comforted.
Such warped thinking!
~L

 

[illusionist]

I've managed to get as far as respecting my body.....I must look after it in order for me as a ' whole ' person to function to the best of my ability.....to value, seems too much for me.

 

[ShodokanJenn]

I have learned to love my body. What did it for me was martial arts. As I prepared for my first degree blackbelt test, I started realizing just how amazing my body really is. It can kick things high up in the air, and it can fall without getting hurt, and it can break boards and cinder blocks and bricks, and it can kick better than most of the other students at my school. My brain remembers all my forms. And that same body can lovingly cradle a baby, tightly hug my husband, guide a horse I am riding. My body can do so many things. It's the instrument I have to interact with the world. Because of all that and so much more, I have learned to love my body.

 

[illusionist]

Thank you very much for that @ShodokanJenn .....I like that thinking!.....I'm going to steal that from you.

Singing the skeleton dance song, to get me started.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

For me, it will take a while for me to see my body that way but i love how you put that @ShodokanJenn! Thank you!

 

[Justmehere]

I have gone to war with my body. It fought back. Mightly.

When it began to make me even more miserable, I began to declare a truce. Just a truce. A cease fire.

It lasted for about 2 hours the first time. Then overnight. Then a little longer. Sometimes I start the war back up again, but I am getting better at getting to a cease fire more quickly.

Now, sometimes, my body and I join forces. We get along. Then PTSD kicks up and I go back to war with my body. Because sometimes, all the PTSD fight or flight runs away with me and I take out the fight on myself.

But I'm learning to stay at peace a little longer each time. My therapist makes a good third party negotiator when I get really stuck and helps me put down my weapons.

(Sorry if this doesn't make any sense to describe my own process in this metaphorical way, it's the best way I know how to describe what it feels like.)

 

[Lola Nocheprieta]

What about starting small, with just one little part of your body? For me, swear to god, it started with my right big toe. Pretty inoffensive, can't say that my right toe carries the most painful memories, and I'm not ashamed of it. I like the way it looks after a pedicure, with a hand painted flower on the toenail. And you wouldn't believe how much we depend on our big toe for balance! I love my big toe! ¡Viva del dedo grande del pie! Long live the big toe! It was a process of starting small, like that, which got me to where I am.

Working hard on loving my thighs, now ... That's much harder. That's ... that's, that's a minefield. Battle scars all over those puppies (self- and other-inflicted.) Every day I don't self harm, especially on my thighs, is a good day. What helps is opposite action: rubbing in a lotion I really like on my body, including my thighs. Muttering to myself as I do so, "I'm taking care of myself, I'm taking care of myself."

Although I often beat myself up mentally and deny myself positive things, I choose to see engaging in self-care as deliberate, badass, brave acts of defiance and rebellion. Haha! f*ck YOU, all of you who f*cked me and hurt me! HaHA! I'm still here! Still alive!

And I'm rocking that miniskirt with the peep-toe pumps that show off my pedicure.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Long live the big toe!

:roflmao:

Thats awesome! And a beautful toe! :inlove: