The New Year has just happened and that means that diet talk is everywhere. From the television to blogs to the restaurants and grocery stores that you frequent. It seems that as soon as the calendar strikes January 1st, everyone is supposed to want to lose weight, eat better, get fitter and change their bodies. This time of year diet talk is everywhere and in my case it seems unavoidable. It may be unavoidable but I have learned that I can decide how I respond. In response to these messages , I say FUCK DIET TALK.
Diet talk is at the very least annoying and shaming and the worst triggering and oppressive. I am recovering from an eating disorder and I know there are many people out there like me who also struggle with disordered eating. The prevalence of diet talk can be very dangerous and encourages restriction. This year instead of letting these messages of restriction get to me I am saying fuck the diet talk and adding things to my life. Here are nine things that you can do to expand rather than restrict the things in your life.
- Find out what nourishes your body and your soul and add more of these things to your life. Sui has an excellent ebook called Nourish Yourself that has been very helpful to me for discovering how to nourish myself and eat mindfully. You can read Amelia’s review of it here.
- Add more of the movement that you love. This can be anything from yoga to walking to swimming to dancing in your kitchen or living room and you get your cleaning done.
- Expand the number of supports you have in your life. If you think you need a therapist to talk to, take the steps to find a therapist. If you do not have a good support network, try and take baby steps to create a support network around you.
- Ask for help. It can be difficult to do but if you are in a place where you need help for something, reach out ask for support. Maybe you have been struggling with an eating disorder and want to find help for your eating disorder. Or maybe you have been struggling with the design of your blog and need to ask someone to take a look and give you an opinion on what they think would work with your website
- Practice self-care. Make a list of the things that work for you and try to expand the list. For some great tips, check out this list here.
- Focus on your writing practice. Writing can take many forms and can be done in almost any place. You can free write, write in your journal, write morning pages, write a blog post and the list goes on.
- Embrace your creativity. Regardless of the creative activity that you like to do. Carve out time to do it. If you do not have a creative outlet that you like to engage in, find something. If you are stumbling creatively and feel blocked, The Artists Way might just be for you.
- Read books in an area that you are interested in. Local libraries are free and great resources for books that have been on your to-read list. You can also check outGoodreads for book recommendations and to see what your friends are reading.
- Find ways to laugh more. Practice laughter yoga. Have a conversation with a funny friend. Watch funny videos online. Watch your favourite comedy on television or online. Take in a local comedy show.
I am going to use the above things to expand rather than restrict this year. Perhaps you can do this to and join me in saying FUCK DIET TALK.
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