When you spend your days thinking and writing about body positivity, the world can seem like a pretty dark and mean place. It feels like there’s no end to the shaming, bullying, and hatred. I read stories every day of fat people who are treated so, so terribly by strangers, medical professionals, retailers, and (saddest of all) friends and family. Somedays I wonder why I even bother trying to combat all of this. It seems like an impossible task, to fight the idea that fat people are lazy, worthless, ugly, dumb, and unworthy of love and respect that permeates the media and our society.
But.
But I believe it’s worth the fight, and I believe that changing the attitude of even one person – whether it’s someone who learns to love themselves and their body or someone who lets go of their fat prejudices – it’s worth all work.
So today, in honor of Thanksgiving, I thought it would be a good idea to focus on the good things in life, the things I’m thankful for. Here we go!
- I’m thankful for the ability to talk to you about the important issues of body positivity and fat issues.
- I’m thankful that my feet have carried me across eleven half marathon finish lines.
- I’m thankful for my gym being a supportive and encouraging place for people of all shapes and sizes to work out.
- I’m thankful for the internet, which allows me to buy super cute clothes that fit and flatter my body.
- I’m thankful for the internet again, for allowing me to connect with so many like-minded people, and for providing me daily inspiration for this blog.
- I’m thankful for my healthy relationship with food, for letting go of the diet mentality, and for no longer thinking about what I eat in terms of morality.
- I’m thankful for family and friends who have never made me feel less because of my size.
BFDers, I wish you a happy Thanksgiving. I hope your day is filled with family, friends, and love. I hope that you can pull your chair up to the table and enjoy every bite of whatever it is you eat on this holiday, that you leave guilt and shame behind, that you learn to be thankful for the body that carries you through every year to reach another Thanksgiving, no matter its shape or size.
What are you thankful for this year? Share in the comments!
Oh, wondering about the title of this post? That’s Danish for “thank you.” My grandma taught me that. Tak, friends, for being a part of BFD!
