The title of this blog may seem obvious at first, but we are regularly inundated with messages that convey otherwise.
“Your body is not your own”
Where does this message come from?
• Commercials, magazines, or social media accounts portraying the “ideal” body type, hairstyle, and makeup trends while advertising their latest product.
• Teachings from the Evangelical Christian purity movement in the 90’s and early 2000’s.
• Navigating through the western medicine healthcare system (discussed in previous post).
• Personal boundaries being crossed due to a physical or sexual assault.
It. is. everywhere.
Turns out buying into the belief that our body does not belong to us comes with consequences, and can indeed set us up for trouble down the road in a variety of ways.
The following come to mind:
• Allowing unwelcome contact from people you don’t know (strangers touching pregnant women’s stomachs, someone patting you for emphasis, unsolicited hugs, adults touching babies in the grocery store, etc).
• Engaging in sexual activity beyond what youre comfortable with.
• Receiving medical interventions that you do not want, or are not sure you want.
These are much more likely to occur when
there’s a power differential; and/or when you interpret that you don’t have the freedom to object.
A yes isn’t a yes if you don’t feel you can use your no. Perception is reality here.
Imagine if we embodied the belief that our bodies are fully OURS. ..that as sovereign beings, we belong first to ourselves.
How would that change what we participated in or allowed? Suddenly we shift from external to internal locus of control.
We immediately become more empowered, but also assume exponentially more responsibility.
What if that were okay? What if we remember that we’re capable and equipped?
How would our lives look different with a single shift in beliefs?
For more on taking ownership of your body and your health, I recommend Dr. Kelly Brogan’s latest book Own Yourself.
Photo: Franklin, TN August 2021
Anatomy of an Awakening 