My Thoughts: Self Acceptance and Our Relationship with Food. 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

I want to talk about this issue because I believe it plays a significant role in how we make decisions, how we feel each day and the way we treat our community. Here lies the problem: our generation is constantly connected. Connected through social media, through magazines, through the television, group chats etc. We are living in a world that can at times be overwhelming, where we are able to see what people are doing, eating, exercising all day every day. This key-hole into other people's lives, despite having many benefits, can tamper with our own self worth and confidence. Instead, it can encourage the concept of 'comparison'. Comparing the way we look, how we dress, how many friends, the number of likes, group chats (the list is endless), and can worsen the relationship with our mind and body, potentially damaging our self confidence and individualism. Kindness cannot be depicted through a photo. Beauty is not determined by the number of likes. I fear that young people of today, especially girls, can become infatuated with 'perfectionism'. We should celebrate our differences, not hide them. Perfectionism creates an unrealistic, distorted portrayal of life. We all have flaws and we all feel self conscious at times. But let's start to embrace them rather than shame them.

 

My personal experience: 

 

Last year (2018) I was not in a good place with food and my relationship with my body was disconnected. I deprived my body of food and the essential energy that I needed, which resulted in ill health, low mood and missing out on spending valuable time with my friends. I don't want to share my story in depth, but I do want to reach out to those suffering or have suffered. I want you to know that you have the power to beat the voice in your head or the aspirational image in your mind which you think you must achieve in order to feel 'happy' or 'enough'.

 

The reality is, you have to start accepting and celebrating the body you have because it is not going anywhere. Your body is what makes you you and in order to thrive and live, you need energy from food. Food is essential in sustaining life. Food should be something celebrated not feared. Food is not the enemy, it is the voice in your head that is. 

 

We all have insecurities and flaws, and it is by learning to accept them that we can begin to treat ourselves with the kindness and compassion we all deserve. Embrace your body, for it is authentic to you. Let go of comparing yourself to others... there will always be someone thinner, taller, larger, funnier, sportier etc. than ourselves. It is in accepting this notion that will free you from failing to find happiness or validation in superficial, aesthetic or external factors.

 

I have learnt that....

​

Happiness is not a number on a scale or a certain size on a hanger. Happiness is something found within. An inner peace and acceptance of who you are. It took a great deal of time for me to learn this valuable lesson, which is why I want to share it with you. 

​

To this day, I feel sad and regretful of the way I treated my body. The times I missed laughing with and loving my friends and family. Life is precious and so are the times spent with the ones you love. Don't let food get in the way of these moments.

​

Today, I see food as something that nourishes every part of my body. Food is the substance that fuels my mind, body and soul. 

 

Food creates memories between loved ones. Let's relish the times spent chatting over coffee, munching with mates at brunch, laughing with family at dinner, chanting 'happy birthdays' over cake, stuffing take aways into our mouths after nights out with friends. Food brings people together to create memories. 

​

Food should be loved, not feared. Food is love. 

​

Below are podcast episodes I would recommend to anyone struggling with an eating disorder or their relationship with their body. Full of warmth, honesty and understanding.  

​

 Chessie King on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place

 

Jada Pinkett Smith on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place

​

​

My Thoughts: Fast Fashion. 

 

​

​

​

​

​

Fast fashion is cheaply produced, poorly constructed clothing which copies the latest catwalk styles, produced unethically through stores to maximise current trends. I urge you to watch this documentary , 'The True Cost'. Here is a link to the trailer.

​

Ever since I was a young girl, the thought of shopping for new clothes filled me with joy and excitement. The pleasure of strolling around the high street with my best friends to buy the new trends and looks, most weekends, would be something I looked forward to each day. The thrill that accompanies a new purchase can become addictive and I put my hands up to feeling that way for a long time. Yet, despite being aware of how cheap certain retailers' clothes were, I never stopped to question why. How could this t-shirt only cost £3.50 or the shoes only £12? I neglected those thoughts circulating in my mind and carried on buying happily, until recently...

 

About two months ago I heard the inspirational work of Livia Firth, on the Deliciously Ella podcast, whereby she spoke so openly and honestly about the dangers of fast fashion and society's unsustainable rate of consumption. (Livia Firth is the co-founder and creative director of Eco-Age and is also the founder of the sophisticated initiative that is the Green Carpet Challenge: introduced in 2010, which serves to raise the profile of sustainable and ethical brands on red carpets.) Livia speaks about the unethical and unsustainable practices taking place behind the closed doors of thousands of fast fashion retailers, such as the likes of H&M, Primark, Boohoo, Uniqlo....the list goes on. She highlights the need for conscious consumerism, environmentally friendly approaches when buying clothes and opens up about the devastating social injustices and contribution to climate change that arise due to unethical production and exponentially growing consumption of fast fashion in our society.

 

Today, fashion has become more and more disposable, creating a constant desire for consumerism. The cheap, poorly produced clothing fails to last and hence, consumers seek the next hit of purchasing new items. Despite the awareness of fast food and its damage to our health, we as individuals fail to associate fast fashion in the same way. We need to be more conscious of our impact and consumption of fast fashion and by educating ourselves about the truth behind the factories of hundreds of high street retailers, we can start to reduce demand and promote a more sustainable and hopeful outlook surrounding fashion. 

​

Here are some facts...

​

Consumption and Production: 

​

• According to Greenpeace, fashion consumption is expected to grow, with sales of clothing projected to rise to $2.1 trillion by 2025.

• Clothing production has doubled since 2000.

• Clothing consumption is expected to rise by 63%  from 62 million tons today to 102 million tons in 2030. (Global Fashion Agenda 2017)

• It takes roughly 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt. That's enough water for one person to drink at least eight cups per day for three-and-a-half years.

• The Rana Plaza Disaster (24th April, 2013) Bangladesh, killing at least 1,132 workers and injured more than 2,500 : a building which housed five garment factories, poorly constructed, collapsed. In this link, Livia speaks about her time visiting Bangladesh. 

• H&M has moved some of its production to Ethiopia, where there is no minimum wage for workers. 

• Over 50% of workers within the fashion industry are not paid the minimum wage (Global Fashion Agenda 2017)

• Approximately 300 million people who produce cotton are still living in poverty. (Fairtrade 2017)

​

Pollution: 

​

• If the industry doesn’t change, and its fashion business as usual, the clothing industry’s climate impact is expected to increase 49% by 2030 (Global Fashion Agenda 2017)

• The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of humanity's carbon emissions (which equates to more emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined)

• The fashion industry is the second largest consumer of water world wide.

• The fashion industry is responsible for 20% of all industrial water pollution.

• About 1,900 synthetic plastic microfibres per garment are released when washed and due to its tiny sizes and shapes, aren’t caught in waste water treatment and enter our oceans. (Browne et al. 2011)

• 1.4 quadrillion microfibres are estimated to be in the ocean as a result of laundering clothes. (Elle MacArthur Foundation 2017)

​

Clothing and Textile Waste: 

​

• UK disposes of 350,000 tonnes (£140 million worth) of clothing in landfills every year. (Greenpeace 2017)

• One in six millennials (16%) aged between 16-34 say they generally keep their clothes for under two years before throwing them away. (YouGov 2017)

• UK disposes of 350,000 tonnes of clothing in landfills every year. (Greenpeace 2017)

​

After researching, reading and re-evaluating the way I view fashion and consumerism, I want to raise awareness and play a part in this change for good. I want to start by BUYING LESS, SWITCHING TO SUSTAINABLE AND ETHICAL BRANDS AND PROMOTING SECOND HAND AND UP-CYCLED GOODS. I am passionate in changing the way young people view fashion. Our greed and consumption needs to stop. The truth needs to be heard. We, as individuals, play a part in this process. Changing past habits and re-assessing the way we consume fashion now can help to create a more sustainable future for both the workers and our planet. 

​

I hope this inspires you to play a part in this positive movement.

​

Below are powerful people, resources and websites that I recommend...

Lucy Siegle and her book 'To Die For'

Livia Firth and Eco Age

The True Cost Documentary 

Venetia LaManna

​

Podcast Episodes ...

Lucy Siegle 

Livia Firth 

​

​

My Thoughts: Meditation.

*Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Over the last two years, I have practiced meditating to heal my mind and relationship with my body. To begin with I thought it was something that was pretty strange; the concept of mantras and sitting cross legged whilst 'inhaling and exhaling' never really appealed to me. However, after a couple of weeks and getting into the routine, each morning, by listening to a guided meditation - I became hooked and aware of the positive impact it was having on the way I perceived myself, those around me and where I was at. Today, I try my best to not go a day without meditating, because it has become such an important tool, for my mental, physical and emotional health. 

​

Meditation itself is simple. What is hard is quietening your busying mind. I believe being able to have time in the day to yourself to reflect and bring yourself back into the present, to be grateful for where you are at, is so fundamental to promote happiness within. 

​

Despite meditation being an ancient tradition, it is still practiced in cultures all over the world to create a sense of calm and inner harmony. Although the practice has ties to many different religious teachings, it has become less about faith and more about altering consciousness, finding awareness and achieving peace. It comes as no surprise that the practice of meditation is becoming more and more popular, as our modern, interconnected twenty-first century lives are becoming increasingly demanding and busy. I am sure I am not alone in finding life, at times, overwhelming - being constantly connected and accessible all day everyday. Meditation, therefore, has become something to turn to, to slow down and pause. Take a moment to breathe. To find peace and stillness in such a chaotic but beautiful world.        

​

Different Types of Meditation:

(according to healthline)

​

Mindful Meditation: paying attention to breath-work, learning how to return to and remain in the present moment, to anchor yourself in the here and now, without judgement. originates from Buddhist teachings and is the most popular practice in the West.

​

Spiritual Meditation: similar to prayer in that you reflect on the silence around you and seek a deeper connection with God or the Universe. essential oils are often used in this practice (sage, cedar, sandalwood).

​

Focused Meditation: involves concentration using any of the five senses.

​

Movement Meditation: good for people who find peace in an action and prefer to let their minds wonder. practise can be done whilst walking or practicing gentle forms of motion. it is an active form where the movement guides you.

​

Mantra Meditation: uses a repetitive sound to clear the mind - it can be a word, phrase or sound. after chanting the mantra for some time, you'll become more alert and in tune with your environment. it enables deeper levels of awareness.

​

Progressive Meditation: also referred to as body scan meditation, it reduces tension in the body and promotes relaxation by slowly tightening and relaxing one muscle group at a time throughout the body

 

Loving-kindness Meditation: promotes compassion, kindness and acceptance towards oneself and others. ideal for when you feel angry or resentment, it makes you open the mind to receive love from others and then sending well wishes to your loved ones, friends etc.

​

Visualisation Meditation: you visualise positive scenes and images vividly, using all the five senses as much as possible. it can also be practiced to imagine yourself succeeding at specific goals and ambitions you have.

​

​

Benefits...

According to 'Mindful', meditating itself injects far-reaching and long-lasting benefits into our lives.

- it lowers stress / reduces our cortisol stress response

- encourages social connection

- improves body awareness and pain

- improves our focus / attention span

- we become kinder, more compassionate and accepting 

 

Whilst meditation is by no means a cure for all, it can certainly provide some much needed space in your life. Space can help us make better choices for ourselves and to support those around us. Meditations teach you patience. Patience towards yourself and your journey. Meditation encompasses a diversity of mental practises that train different skills and different parts of the brain; boosting our emotional and cognitive skills, well-being and brain function. 

​

Whether you find yourself feeling lost, alone, stressed or in need of spiritual enlightenment, meditation can be the perfect tool to help you. To help you find stillness. To calm your mind and body. To find peace and self acceptance. Meditation should not feel like a forced action, or else it becomes a chore, but I want to express the benefits it may bring you, if you gently begin to incorporate the practice in your day or week. Whilst on a walk, on the tube, in bed, with friends etc. Meditations provide light and hope, by focusing on the positives. I have found them helpful in releasing tension and stress, whilst quieting the self sabotaging murmurs which too often circulate our mind. 

​

I practise a meditation each morning, before I begin my day. What started as a hobby has become one of my daily rituals, no matter where I am or who I am with. It can take five minutes or fifteen, depending on how I feel. I listen to guided meditations, in particularly those that focus on mindfulness, mantras and compassion. From Spotify to Headspace to Youtube, go and try one that may work for you. 

 

Below I have attached a link to the meditation I listen to each day. It never fails to ground me. 

​

LET IT GO MEDITATION

​

“With every breath, the old moment is lost; a new moment arrives. We exhale and we let go of the old moment. It is lost to us. In doing so, we let go of the person we used to be. We inhale and breathe in the moment that is becoming. In doing so, we welcome the person we are becoming. We repeat the process. This is meditation. This is renewal. This is life.” - Lama Surya Das

​

​

​