“The sky is the limit, the future is infinite with possibilities.” — Nurse Chapel (Jess Bush), “I’m Ready” from the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode “Subspace Rhapsody”
Embracing and accepting ourselves can be a healing journey, one that honors our unique experiences and the inherent value of our bodies.
It’s difficult for people in all kinds of bodies to live and thrive in a world where they are harshly judged. It’s even more difficult for those who have bodies that are “perpetually under appraisal, surveillance, or attack,” as Sand Chang says in their Body Trust chapter on the trans experience. “Even though we have agency, ultimately we do not have control over how others perceive or treat us, even the most well-meaning.” But by cultivating body trust, we can move beyond the expectations with which we are shackled and live our lives to their full and unbridled potential.
To learn more about how to develop body trust, check out these websites to explore the concepts and theories on which it was founded:
- The Center for Body Trustexternal link, opens in a new tab has resources that delve deeper into ways of reclaiming body trust.
- Project HEALexternal link, opens in a new tab’s mission is to break down systemic, healthcare, and financial barriers to eating disorder care.
- Radical Body Loveexternal link, opens in a new tab is about learning to celebrate the body you currently have, with the support of others who are moving away from diet culture.
- Many helpful self-compassion resources can be found on Dr. Kristin Neff’s websiteexternal link, opens in a new tab, as well as at the Center for Mindful Self-Compassionexternal link, opens in a new tab.
- The Association for Size Diversity and Health argues that all bodies deserve access to comprehensive and compassionate healthcare, and therefore, it’s important to adopt a framework of care that’s Health at Every Sizeexternal link, opens in a new tab-aligned.
- Educate yourself on the Decolonization of Fitnessexternal link, opens in a new tab movement to decide if fitness culture aligns with your values. If it doesn’t, learn how to divest from toxic fitness culture by reading Ilya Parker’s article, “What is toxic fitness culture?external link, opens in a new tab”