Just For Today

I think we can all agree that we shouldn’t live our lives based on assumptions. And yet, when it comes to bodies and health, we do just that – about others, and about ourselves. We assume that health and body size go hand in hand. We assume that thin people are healthy and fat people are not. We assume that shrinking our bodies will make us healthier and happier. Today I’d like to challenge you to throw those assumptions out the proverbial window.

What these say.
What these say. (The vision part, not the quarters thing.)

Inspired by darling (when are we going to get that sarcasm font?!) Dear Abby, here are a few JUST FOR TODAY ideas that will help all of us let go of these kinds of assumptions. Try them out and see how it goes.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will not assume anything about other people’s bodies. I will not assume that a very thin person has an eating disorder. I will not assume that a very fat person has no self-control. I will acknowledge that a person’s worth is not based on the size and shape of their body. And this applies to me, too.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will not assume anything about what other people eat. Food is not inherently good or bad, and I will stop assuming things about people based on what they do or don’t put in their mouths. And this applies to me, too.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will not assume anything about how other people move their bodies. I cannot tell, just by looking at someone, when and how much they choose to exercise. I will not assign morality to people based on when and how much they choose to exercise. And this applies to me, too.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will not assume that other people’s health is any of my business. I will acknowledge that health is individual, personal, and not totally within anyone’s control. I will not judge people by what I perceive their health to be. And this applies to me, too.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will not assume that people are unaware of their bodies. I will not tell someone they are “too” fat or “too” thin. I will recognize that people are self-aware, and do not require my help in realizing the truth of their bodies. And this applies to me, too.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will not assume that shame is motivating. I will acknowledge that people do not care for things they hate, and that encouraging them to hate their bodies by shaming them is unhelpful and inhumane. And this applies to me, too.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will not assume that thin people love their bodies and fat people do not, and in order to love yourself, you must get thin. I will acknowledge that body acceptance and love is a journey, and that the journey looks different for everybody (and every body). I will support all people in their journies. And this applies to me, too.

Every morning in a fresh start. What will you do with yours?
Every morning in a fresh start. What will you do with yours?

Do you have more JUST FOR TODAY ideas? Share them in the comments!

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