distracted by sparkly things since 1969

Letter to My Body

Have you joined Suzanne’s national campaign over at BlogHer? There’s still time! Maybe it’s a valentine, or maybe it’s a memo from your inner drill sargent. Either way, don’t you think it’s about time you just sit right down and right yourself a letter? I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…

Dear Body,

It’s been nearly a year since I promised to be nicer to you. A year since I gave up saying mean things. A year since I stopped overriding your system with stress hormones. A year since I gave up dieting for good. A year since I decided to recognize that you are, in fact, me—that I am, in fact, my body.

I am so proud of you! In that year you’ve eaten mostly what you needed, and only a little of what you did not. I managed to not freak out on your ass every time you put something that actually tastes good in your mouth. You’ve enjoyed food more and felt guilty less. You’ve lost most of the bad language about how you function and how you feel. And you’ve regulated yourself down to your happy, healthy weight. (Bye bye to those 20 freeloading pounds.)

I hope you’ve like your treats of new jeans, shirts that cling a little, and a not unsmall amount of truly awesome lingerie. I’m so glad you’ve welcomed back your libido and embraced your newly recognized MILF status. Oh, and by the way, I really like your new motto: “Cleavage: It’s not just for weekends anymore.”

You’ve had some grand renewing adventures this year, and I’m planning on more in the future. Already you seem to be enjoying the Danish requirement for frisk luft (fresh air) every single day, and those boots you bought that were made for walkin’? Well I’m pretty damned proud that you’ve already worn out the heels.

In a few weeks your new bike will be here and you’ll be streaming along, your red hair standing out amongst the Danish blondes. And soon enough you’ll find yourself a new yoga class and be a dancing goddess once again.

I’m sorry it took me so long to finally appreciate you, but baby, look at you now! Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Yours (literally),

Rachelle

Are you going to sit right down and write yourself a letter? Let us know in the comments below (don’t forget to link!)

8 comments

1 Not Fainthearted { 28 Feb 2008 at 2:27 pm }

What a great letter. It sounds like you’ve not only made peace but you’re enjoying it too. I’m very glad to hear that the path ahead of me is that good.

I wrote my letter last week: http://notfainthearted.com/2008/02/25/letter-to-my-body/

2 Elaine { 28 Feb 2008 at 10:34 pm }

Hello Rachelle.

Oh this is brilliant, funny and very healthy. Your body is blessed to have you!

3 Amanda { 29 Feb 2008 at 8:54 pm }

absolutely lovely!

4 jen lemen » Blog Archive » Small is Beautiful Saturday { 1 Mar 2008 at 7:43 am }

[...] world-adventuring soulsister Rachelle Mee-Chapman has an awesome, inspiring post up this morning about loving your body. Other lovely Small-Is-Beautiful offerings you might [...]

5 krystyn { 1 Mar 2008 at 10:26 am }

Ah, this post makes me want to hop the next flight across the pond and hire you as my personal mentor. Seriously.

p.s. I’m so glad you have internet now! You’ve been missed. <3

6 krystyn { 1 Mar 2008 at 11:43 am }

p.s. p.s. I’m not on Wordpress, so here’s my trackback. ;)
http://krystynheide.com/blog/2008/3/1/small-is-beautiful-saturday.html

7 linda davick { 2 Mar 2008 at 3:06 pm }

Wow. What an inspiring and beautifully written piece. Thanks.

8 Staci Boden { 2 Mar 2008 at 8:21 pm }

Thanks for the nudge. Inspiration to write about body woke me up at 6:30am on Saturday morning, and the ride did not disappoint!

http://practicalspirit.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/dearest-body/

Tell me all about it! Leave a Comment...