Navigating the world of plastic surgery has been both physically and emotionally transformative for me. Faced with the relentless societal beauty standards and an abusive marriage, I initially believed plastic surgery would help me achieve the "ideal" appearance. However, despite multiple surgeries, including breast augmentations and the upcoming necessary revisions, I've found that true self-acceptance cannot be achieved through external modifications alone.
Unrealistic beauty standards have pervasive and damaging effects on women and girls, leading to low self-esteem, body image issues, and mental health problems. Studies show that a significant percentage of teenage girls feel pressure to conform to these standards, often resulting in severe health issues like eating disorders. To counter this, it's critical to challenge harmful media messages, support body-positive campaigns, and encourage embracing one's unique beauty.
Through my journey, I've come to appreciate my body, flaws, and all, learning that true beauty transcends physical appearance. I aim to raise awareness about the dangers of internalizing these unrealistic ideals and advocate for a society that values inner strength, confidence, and kindness. By celebrating diversity and rejecting harmful stereotypes, we can create a more inclusive and accepting world.
The societal pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards can have a devastating impact on women and girls of all ages. Exposure to these standards can lead to low self-esteem, body image issues, mental health problems, and unhealthy relationships. Challenging beauty standards and promoting body positivity can involve speaking out against harmful media messages, supporting body-positive campaigns, and encouraging others to embrace their unique beauty.
Plastic surgery is often seen as a quick fix to meet societal expectations, but it can result in long-term physical and emotional pain. Multiple surgeries over a lifetime and painful recoveries are common, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance over conformity. By sharing personal experiences, we can raise awareness about the dangers of internalizing unrealistic beauty standards.
Embracing diversity and challenging stereotypes allows us to break free from the beauty trap. True beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and by redefining beauty based on inner strength, confidence, and kindness, we can foster a more inclusive and accepting society. Let's work together to celebrate our unique qualities and live more fulfilling lives.
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Embark on a journey of self-discovery and adventure as we explore the significance of seizing the moment through the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. The dream of walking this ancient path, rekindled during a pandemic-induced pause, is now set to become a reality in 2024. Choosing the Portuguese route, a 160-mile trek through breathtaking landscapes, the thought of living out of a backpack for a month is both exhilarating and daunting, yet the anticipation fuels the courage to move forward.
September 6th quickly approaches, marking the start of an adventure with minimal concrete plans beyond the first week. The essence of this pilgrimage is not just the physical journey, but an intentional act of embracing dreams, casting aside fears, and finding freedom in the uncertainties of the open road. This experience aims to inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter the age, circumstances, or fears.
Reflect on the dreams you've postponed and what might be holding you back. Reassess how you can balance planning for the future with living in the present. Join our community of dreamers and doers, and let's embark on this incredible journey together. Follow along on Instagram and comment to share your inspirations! Remember, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second-best time is now.
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August, with its golden sunlight and bountiful harvests, is a time to reflect on our internal growth. Much like farmers tending their crops, we can cultivate our inner potential for a rich and fulfilling life. Our thoughts, feelings, and actions are the seeds we plant daily, and by choosing positive ones, we can align ourselves with our desired outcomes.
Nurturing our growth is akin to a farmer providing essential nutrients to crops. Practices such as meditation, journaling, and spending time in nature create a supportive environment for inner development. Even small acts of self-care can yield positive results over time, allowing us to eventually reap the rewards of our efforts.
Harvesting not only celebrates our achievements but also prepares us for future growth. Reflecting on what we have gained helps us set new intentions and cultivate an abundance mindset. This approach to life emphasizes believing in our worth, appreciating what we have, and being open to receiving more, making personal growth a continuous, enriching journey.
Trusting the universe involves surrendering to the flow of life, relinquishing the need for control, and embracing the unknown. This concept can evoke both peace and fear, challenging us with internal battles and societal conditioning. Yet, there’s a pathway to inner peace through building a safe internal space, utilizing tools like breathwork and inner child work, to listen more deeply to our body’s wisdom without overwhelming the nervous system.
Many of us have been taught to ignore our body's signals and intuition, but practices such as meditation and breathwork can help us rebuild self-awareness. Spending time in nature further enhances this connection, allowing us to shed mental chatter and sharpen our sensory inputs. These experiences heighten our intuition, enabling us to better trust and follow our inner guidance.
Embracing spontaneity and recognizing synchronicities are essential steps to truly surrendering to the universe. Even small actions like exploring new routes can act as stepping stones to deeper trust. Integrating gratitude and forgiveness into daily routines clears emotional blockages, aligning us with our true selves and enhancing our ability to surrender. This journey isn’t about leaps of blind faith but rather fostering a deep trust in our inner compass.
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When we move intuitively, we allow our bodies to guide us toward healing
Have you ever yearned for a movement experience that unleashes your spirit and unlocks your inner authenticity? Look no further than ecstatic dance. It's a freeform dance practice where joy and self-discovery take center stage through uninhibited movement. There are no pre-defined steps, no pressure to perform, just you and the music. This practice comes with a surprising range of benefits, from stress reduction and mood elevation to deeper self-connection and heightened confidence.
A Hawaiian retreat in the hippie haven of Pahoa first sparked my curiosity about ecstatic dance. The word ecstatic caught my ear. It brought visions of swirling freedom and joyfulness. So, when I saw that a dance would be held just 10 minutes from home, I was in. I had no idea what to expect or anyone to tag along with, but I figured, why not!
The venue surprised me. Instead of a pulsating club filled with 20-somethings, it was a dance studio. The atmosphere, however, was anything but ordinary. I was surprised at the variety in age, race, shape, and size. But all united by a shared desire for uninhibited expression.
The session began with a "Wu Wei" practice, a flowing and almost meditative warm-up to promote ease of movement. We swayed gently, mimicking the motions of the wind and the earth, feeling the ground beneath our bare feet. This led to partner exercises, where I discovered how touch and movement can reveal aspects of another person beyond words. One encounter stands out: a man leaning heavily against me, the weight of his neediness unmistakable. Instead of reacting negatively, I channeled silent healing love energy towards him – a beautiful exchange that left me with positive energy for the evening.
As the DJ took over, the music transitioned to a slow and sultry tempo. I surrendered to the rhythm, my body swaying and my arms flowing to the beat. It was in this movement that the societal expectations I carried, the labels placed upon me, began to surface. With every move, I shed those constraints, my body shaking with a sense of release. Anger welled up, laced with shame and regret, as memories stored deep within my body arose. A body that has been treated as an object, used to please men, to appease, and manipulated to earn love. I released the anger with instinctive guttural sounds, experiencing a profound sense of freedom and openness.
This dance also awakened a deep love for the generations of women who came before me, their dreams and aspirations squashed down by societal rules and expectations. I imagined my love flowing back through time as a beautiful glowing purple light, with that love I also shared the message that I would dance freely for them. A fire ignited within me, I will live my life by my rules, dismissing societal rules imposed on women to control and keep our sexuality locked away. No more will every part of my body be sexualized according to the opinions of men. No more will I let media of any type tell me that I’m not enough, I need this mascara, hair like an airbrushed model, or to wear this or that brand of clothing. I will do everything I can to be the person I was born to be rather than the person that society wants me to be.
As I went through this liberating healing process, several men approached me, I quickly closed my eyes to make it clear I was there for solo healing. There was one man who I found intriguing though. One of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen. Native American, the most beautiful brown eyes with long eyelashes, high cheekbones, beautiful black silky hair that fell down his back, and the most luscious lips that every woman would be envious of. His eyes caught mine multiple times, and each time I couldn’t help but smile. So, when he approached me, I smiled invitingly. As he danced in front of me, I quickly realized he was no longer wearing pants. He was wearing leopard print briefs and had a large erection within the briefs. I’m all for body freedom and wearing what feels good for you, but this now felt a bit awkward. To his credit, he wasn't aggressive, just a tad happy to see me. He felt the shift in my energy, so we shared a hug (with strategic pelvic placement!), and he gracefully moved on.
Despite the brief awkwardness, the night was transformative. The sheer variety of participants and their uninhibited self-expression were truly inspiring. Sure, the leopard print was a surprise, but hey, erections are a natural part of life, right? Maybe even they deserve a space on the dance floor (as long as they remain appropriately controlled and contained!).
This ecstatic dance exploration was a journey of self-discovery. And I'm already eagerly anticipating my next adventure tomorrow night. Who knows what awaits: deeper healing, deeper self-understanding or maybe another interesting encounter? Only one way to find out!
I hope my experience with ecstatic dance inspires you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! I’d love to hear about your experience with ecstatic dance or using movement for healing. Or a time you tried something new and had an amazing experience or a not-so-amazing experience. Please share in the comments.
