Self-Objectification, Body Image and Upcoming Workshops

At the beginning of the year I read More than a Body - Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament, by Lindsay Kite and Lexie Kite. It explores self-objectification, when we treat ourselves as body parts to be consumed, rather than a fully dynamic, thinking feeling human. It’s an excellent book and I highly recommend anyone wishing to improve their body image to have a read. I use the corresponding workbook with some of my clients, particularly those who are later on in their recovery.

In July, I led a workshop on the topic for the wonderful The Recovery Collective, firstly at their Beyond Recovery Retreat in Portugal, and then online at one of their monthly sessions.

I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot and how we can be recovered from an eating disorder, but still really struggle with self-judgement on what our bodies look like (or what we believe they ‘should’ look like). Almost everyone I know hates something about their bodies, and usually its many parts.

Of course, it’s to be expected, looking at the society we live in, and with diet culture all over the place. If we’ve been inundated with rules around our looks from an early age, we equate hating our bodies to being human. But it hasn’t always been this way. There was once a time we didn’t hate our bodies, even if we can’t remember it.

I’m leading a series of 6 in-person workshops in Chapelton, Aberdeenshire with the wonderful Sally Munro. I appreciate that many people who read this post might be far away from Scotland, or reading it late, but I intend to run online workshops on the topics too. Drop me a line if you are interested in joining the waitlist for the online version, or if you’d like to join the November cohort!

Kirsty x

Flier with information on details of the workshop being held in Chapelton, Aberdeenshire on Body image, self objectification, nutrition, and mindfulness. Monday evenings 7:30pm from 4th November to 9th November 2024