“I know I’ve put on weight,”she said quietly to herself as she run her hand over her tummy. She looked into the bathroom mirror and instead of catching her own gaze she looked down at her mid-section, not with love or care but with scorn and suspicion. “I know I’ve put on weight,” she said […]
Teach our Children Self-Love and not to Self-loathe
The Impact of a Wee little Fairy Tale… In the days following the publication of my short story, ‘Welcome to BoPovia’, I ended up engaging in a myriad of fascinating and moving conversations with a variety of people. Parents, teachers, children and ladies who, like me, wished we had been given a story like that […]
I had a MASSIVE wobble this week AND it’s mental health awareness week
Mental Health Awareness Week I’m sure this is the week I’m supposed to be being all positive and promoting Mental Health Awareness, especially as the main focus this year is Body Image. I should be all over this right? But tonight I cried. I cried so hard and blew snot all over Husbandface. Poor Husbandface. […]
An Open Letter to Young People
Dear Lovelies, (and you are just that … lovely) I’m writing this to you as a teacher, a friend, a body positive activist and as someone who has been a teenager (and a fully grown assed lady) with serious body issues. I want to talk to you about my experience, my history and my present […]
Love Letters
A Love Letter From My Body Dear Gemma, This is your body here. I wanted to write and tell you about my feelings for you. I know we have not had the easiest of relationships, like the time we had gastroenteritis over Christmas or when our back went picking up a tissue from the floor. We […]
Bikini Bodies: (part 3) Bobbing, Boggarts and Body Shopping
A whole year after I had 3 mini epiphanies that set in motion the whole body positivity thing for me, and I’m still trying to find my way. Some days it’s like I’m following a beacon of light and other days it’s like I’ve been given a map with no names on and no idea […]
Best Laid Plans
As I came away for my lovely holiday to Majorca, to get away from a house in disarray and the last lingering memories of being at school, before I start my new job, I packed several activities. A few books, that I’d been saving (“The Power” … Highly recommended, a thriller and a couple of […]
Out of The Mouths of Babes
I left my job this week after 3 years of working there. I was stunned by the responses from the kids and staff. I think I was the most hugged person ever this week. I was overwhelmed by the things students had written to me, about me. “You have made this school unique, you […]
Why We Need to Teach Our Children Body Positivity
Building children’s self-esteem This week I have headed up a BoPo event for some young people. It was a HUGE learning curve for me, not only did I discover that I can actually get over my crippling fear of public speaking, but kids are so receptive to the truth. I revealed to these lovely young […]
Chucking in the Towel (or swimsuit)
Hoardy McHoarderson (part 2) We’ve already established that I’m proper Hoardy McHoarderson, so it won’t come as a surprise to people, that I am a dreadful clothes hoarder. I keep things that old, sentimental, could be used for “dressing up” and the ultimate one… Things that do not fit me, for whatever reason. Things I’ve […]