EMILY MIKAELAH

I took a restorative yoga class tonight for the first time in a long time and I came to think of a few things as I was staring up at my feet in the air trying to focus on what I am grateful for today. 

It is so, so, important to love, and cherish, and respect the body you were given to come into this life with. 

I think especially as women we are taught from a young age that we have to physically mold ourselves to fit a societal image of approval. We are told that despite our best efforts we are never quite enough. Instead of standing up for ourselves so many of us have turned inward with self-criticism, perhaps even hated our physical forms at some point in our lives.

Just know that your curves have never given anyone the right to oppress or sexualize you. You have always been and will always be enough. Your body is the most amazing treasure you will ever own. I encourage you to love your body today, to take care of your body today, to listen to your body today. 

As I laid there in this yoga class staring up at my feet in a dark room all I could think was "God I hate my feet", and in that moment of self awareness something shifted. I realized that this physical piece of myself that I have been so hard on for so many years has gotten me through every single day of my life. It has literally carried me through the toughest moments, supported me through the most rewarding, and transported me through everything in between. 

So today I am grateful for my body, my shell, my temple, and I encourage everyone to do the same. Our bodies have gotten us to this point in our lives, and if we're lucky it will take us much further down our chosen paths.

So I will leave this endless thought vomit with an appropriate quote: