“I know I’ve put on weight,” she said in a hushed and strained voice, feeling tears prickling her eyes and an unpleasant warm flush across her cheeks. The coats she’d tried on didn’t fit, having purposefully gotten a size bigger, she couldn’t help but feel stupid, like she’d been actively sabotaging herself. She […]
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 […]
Welcome to BoPovia (Complete Version)
Once Upon a Time… …there was a young girl, this little girl was a sad little girl, a lonely little girl, a lost little girl and she thought she was an unloved little girl. Her name was Sophie. Sophie’s parents had just recently divorced, so she worried that they had stopped loving her, like, sadly, […]
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. […]
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 […]
Shame on you, Avon, for Body Shaming!
Slow Clap For Avon… This week I was saddened and extremely disappointed by Avon Canada’s decision to advertise an anti-cellulite product in a such an insensitive and, quite frankly, ghastly way. My attention was drawn to the Avon issue, by women on social media who, like me, were quite frankly shocked and disgusted. The advert […]
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 […]
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 […]