My Body is a Shapeshifter
My body, in its infinite wisdom, is a shapeshifter. It transforms in response to my life's demands. It serves as my protective fortress, expanding to shield me during times of profound emotional pain. It gains strength when I face challenges that require resilience and softens to offer comfort when gentleness is needed most. It’s adaptation is not a sign of failure but a testament to it’s remarkable capacity to care for itself.
Life's challenges can at times leave deep marks, mentally and physically. In Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM, our stomach and spleen—organs of nourishment and care—sometimes call for extra padding to safeguard our spirit and heart in difficult times. The last few months, I have been recovering from heartbreak, uncertainty and dysregulation. Despite maintaining my usual routines of movement, meditation and healthy eating, I found my nervous system inflamed and started to experience noticeable changes in my weight. My body was signalling a need to pause and reconnect with myself.
In the realm of fitness and wellness, grappling with body image and self-perception can be a formidable endeavour. The pervasive emphasis on physical aesthetics in our culture challenges so many of us to maintain a healthy perspective on what wellness really is.
There is a saying "as within, so without," a philosophy which suggests that our external appearance is often a reflection of our internal state. This understanding, for me, is a profound step toward self-love and acceptance. It is about honouring our bodies for their resilience and unspoken wisdom, recognizing that each transformation—visible or not—is deeply intertwined with our own internal landscape. Instead of succumbing to the darkness of critical self-talk, dieting, or obsessive workouts, I am choosing to heal my nervous system through deep rest. I will continue to engage in movement that feels liberating, consume foods that nourish and energize me, and take time to get quiet, sit, and listen.
If you have ever suffered from body dysmorphia, or feel uneasy in your skin-let’s together let go of shame and extend even more grace and compassion towards ourselves.
Forever grateful to share this journey with you.
