My Body: A Manifesto

Today I am going to get real with you. I saw a horrible show on MTV a few weeks ago that really got under my skin (there's a reason why I never watch that channel). It's called Girl Code, and in this particular episode, they were talking about how girls are supposed to act in the bathroom. In particular, and it was news to me, girls are supposed to hover over public toilet seats- a girl should never sit. I think I've had a pretty normal upbringing, so I found this shocking (though it explains how some women seem to miss the target). I'm a sitter, always will be, and so far, I haven't acquired any diseases. 

But what rankled me the most about this show was how subversive it was. Here is a channel whose demographic is primarily impressionable young people, including women. And here was a show telling girls what they ought to do with their bodies (don't get me started on body hair). It is hard enough to be a woman with the kind of harassment and pressure we face on a daily basis, but to add to it women telling other women what they should be doing with their bodies is just appalling. I am of the firm belief that we women have to stick together if we really want equality in society. Shit like this is just two steps back.

So, I went to my journal and I wrote a manifesto for my body. 

This body is deserving of love and compassion.

This is my body and it is my choice what I do with it.

My body has no responsibility other than to serve my spirit.

My sole responsibility with my body is to take care of it. Taking care of my body means:

• Feeding it nutritious food when it is hungry.

•  Allowing it to enjoy pleasurable sensations. 

•  Moving it in ways that feel good. 

•  Protecting it from harm. 

•  Giving it plenty of water and sun. 

•  Loving it.

It is for no one else to say what I do with my body, including, but not limited to:

• Shaving or waxing. I will be as hairy or as hairless as I see fit. My hair hurts no one. 

• Wearing makeup. I will wear makeup when I want, but only for my pleasure. I will allow my bare face fresh air regularly. 

•  Clothing. I will wear what makes me feel good, regardless of what others may think. 

• Swimwear. I will wear whatever piece of swimwear I feel good in and suits my needs. 

•  Attractiveness. It is not my responsibility to make myself appealing to someone else's eyes. 

•  Diet. Diets do not exist. I will eat what I want because I want to live my life fully. 

•  Color. I will be as pale as I am because I do not want skin cancer and I don't want too much exposure to chemicals. I also do not wish to be an Oompa-Loompa.

My body is the vessel through which my spirit experiences this life.

I will remind my body that it is beautiful.

I will show my body love.

This is my manifesto, and I will do my best to uphold it. I will try my best to show myself compassion when I forget to hold true to this manifesto.

Now friends, I encourage you to create your own manifesto. You can take mine, if you wish, or you can create one that suits you better. My only hope is that you understand that your one body is yours alone, and you have the choice to treat it lovingly.

So, have you ever written a manifesto? What "rules" do you think are bogus? I would absolutely love to hear from you in the comments below!

 

17 comments body image, happiness, self confidence, self love

Share: