How to Embrace Your Body: 8 Self Love Habits

by D'Arcy Benincosa

In this episode, Rachel Larsen Weaver and I talk about all things self love and plus size bodies. We dive deep into how to unlearn toxic thought patterns about bodies and cultivate more self love for ourselves and others. Hit play!

Meet Rachel Larsen Weaver:

Rachel Larsen Weaver is an artist-educator and photographer joyfully living on the Maryland beaches of the Chesapeake Bay. A mother to five and creator of moments, her enthusiasm for details and self-love are infectious. Her portfolio and practice is fat-affirming, mindful, and genuine, focusing on the life and light of clients. Co-founder of NOW, NOW School, and creator of #FindingMyselfInPortraits and the original Long Form Sessions, Rachel travels the country documenting mothers, bodies, and details. These days she is extra excited about running The 4 x 4- an intimate mentorship + workshop experience.

In a world that often imposes unrealistic standards of beauty, it’s essential to cultivate self-love and embrace our bodies just as they are. All bodies are beautiful and it’s important to remember that your body is a vessel for all of the gorgeous things you will get to explore, feel, taste, and see in this lifetime.

8 ways to cultivate more self-love:

1. Thoughtfully Consume

In a digital era where social media platforms showcase countless images, it’s important to curate our feeds mindfully. Follow body-positive influencers and pin empowering images on platforms like Pinterest. Surrounding ourselves with diverse representations of beauty helps us challenge traditional beauty norms and embrace our own unique bodies.

2. Question Discomfort

Society often stigmatizes imperfections like stretch marks, but I would like to challenge you to question those norms. Embrace your stretch marks and see them as a testament to your body’s resilience and growth. You may think you have no problem with plus-sized bodies, but in reality, you don’t like the look of cellulite on legs, question this!

3. Envision Diversity

Bodies come in infinite shapes, sizes, and forms. Take a moment to envision the wide range of possibilities for what a body can look like. Embrace the diversity and understand that beauty is not confined to a specific mold.

4. Embrace Self-Reflection

Stand in front of a full-length mirror and take a deep look at your body. Instead of focusing on perceived flaws, embrace your body’s beauty and uniqueness. Identify the features you love and appreciate about yourself. Celebrate your curves, your strength, and everything that makes you uniquely you.

5. Find Joy in The Journey

Remember that self-love is a lifelong journey. Our bodies are constantly changing, shaping, and evolving. Embrace the ups and downs, the highs and lows. Learn to celebrate and appreciate every step of the way, knowing that your worth is not defined by your appearance, but by the love and respect you have for yourself.

6. Discover What Awakens You

Explore what brings your senses alive and makes you feel good in your body. Whether it’s wearing a favorite outfit, specific smells, lights, self-care rituals, or engaging in activities that make you happy, prioritize these experiences.

7. Show Up as Your True Self

You have the power to define how you want to be seen and perceived. Show up exactly how you want to “be seen”. Wear the clothes that feel good to you, speak to others how your true self would speak to others, go to the places that resonate with you.

8. Write It Down

My challenge to you is to write down exactly what makes you feel pretty. Inspired by Rachel Larsen Weaver’s newsletter, dive in to this challenge. Really dig deep. Do you feel pretty when you have sex? Do you feel pretty while you’re working? Do you feel pretty when you play with your kids at the park? *disclaimer: this challenge may make you fall in love with yourself*

Embracing self-love and celebrating plus-size bodies is a powerful act of defiance against societal beauty standards. By thoughtfully consuming diverse representations of beauty, questioning discomfort, envisioning body diversity, embracing self-reflection, and practicing self-acceptance, we can foster a positive body image and cultivate self-love. Remember, your journey towards self-love is unique, beautiful, and ongoing. By sharing your experiences and supporting others in their own self-love journey, you become a catalyst for change and an inspiration to those seeking acceptance and empowerment. Together, let’s embrace self-love and celebrate the beauty of all bodies, regardless of their shape or size.