Jezebel Express

Jezebel Express Instagram – This includes yours. ❤️ This reminder feels extra important during the holidays, when many of us visit family who can be quick with criticisms or advice. I know negative messaging runs rampant this time of year, so let me share some beliefs of mine that might be helpful to hear:
✨ All bodies deserve respect, because human beings live in them.
✨ No one deserves to be ridiculed for their size, proportions, ability or any bodily feature. 
✨All bodies are equally valuable. Aging bodies are not worth less than young ones, thin bodies are not worth more than fat ones.
✨If you don’t have access to someone’s medical records, you can’t draw conclusions about their health from their appearance.
✨ No one owes you health. No one owes you an attractive physical appearance that matches your preferences.
✨No one is obligated to change their body, even if that body is imperfect, even if their feelings about that body are complicated.
✨People are allowed to change their bodies if that’s what right for them. What they do with their body is unrelated to your body unless they push you to change, too.
✨Commenting on other people’s bodies in social situations is inappropriate. People know what they look like, and if they want your input, they will ask. “Concern” does not give you a hall pass to comment on other people’s bodies.
✨Shaming, body policing and joking/cruelty about bodies are not respectful. It is sane and reasonable to dislike being subject to this.
✨It is normal and healthy to set boundaries around body talk. People who resist these boundaries are often defending their “right” to treat you however they want. This is a sh*t dynamic. It’s okay to reject it.
✨ It’s fine to make it weird when people are inappropriate about your body (they have already made it weird for you, right?)
✨It’s okay to leave situations where you are not respected. You also have the power to tolerate non-ideal situations & avoid internalizing negative messages. You know what you need and you can find a way to handle your own family dynamics. 
✨You deserve love and respect this holiday season. I hope it finds you, but even if it doesn’t— you still deserve it, and I’m holding out for next year. 💕 | Posted on 22/Dec/2023 03:45:53