Hi.
Come settle in for a little while.
Sit or lie down.
Whatever feels kind to your body today.
Feel yourself resting.
The chair, or the bed, holding your weight.
All of it.
Easily.
Notice your breath.
You don't have to change it.
Just feel it moving in and out.
Listen to the waves.
Rolling in.
Sliding back out.
Let's take six minutes.
To be a little kinder to you.
The holidays are almost here.
And maybe your body is on your mind.
The family photos.
Standing in the back row, arms crossed.
Hoping nobody tags you.
The big meals.
Counting every bite in your head.
And that one relative.
The one who always says something.
About your plate.
Or your jeans.
Notice the thoughts you've been having.
The harsh ones.
The never ones you'd say to a friend.
And notice how they feel.
Maybe your chest tightens.
Maybe you want to shrink, or hide.
That's a heavy thing to carry.
Especially into a season of hugs...
and cameras and pie.
And those thoughts didn't start with you.
They came from ads and magazines.
And comments you heard as a kid.
You picked them up along the way.
Like everyone does.
You can start setting some of them down.
We won't argue with those thoughts today.
We'll just try something different.
Let's say thank you.
To your body, one part at a time.
Not for how it looks.
For what it does.
Start with your feet.
They walked you everywhere this year.
Up stairs.
Through a crowded airport.
Thank you, feet.
Now your legs.
They carried groceries up the driveway.
They got you up on hard mornings.
Thank you, legs.
Now your belly.
The part that gets the most blame.
Let it be soft right now.
It digests your food.
It warms up when you laugh hard.
Thank you, belly.
Now your arms.
They held people you love.
Maybe a friend who was crying.
Thank you, arms.
Now your hands.
They cooked dinner on tired nights.
They waved hello at the door.
Thank you, hands.
And your face.
The face your friends are glad to see.
The one that smiles in the doorway.
Thank you, face.
Notice how that felt.
Maybe strange.
Maybe a little tender.
This body has been on your side...
the whole time.
It's gotten you to every holiday so far.
It'll get you to this one too.
In whatever sweater feels good.
Find the spot that feels tightest.
Maybe your belly.
Maybe your chest.
Rest one warm hand there.
The way you'd comfort a friend.
Breathing.
Held.
Let the waves come in and go out.
They don't judge the sand.
They just keep arriving.
Breathe in...
And out...
And if these thoughts ever feel too loud...
too heavy to carry alone...
please reach out.
Talk to someone you trust.
Or a licensed counselor.
In the US, call or text 988.
For now, just let yourself rest.
Alright.
Back to your day.
Let your hand slide back down.
Give your body a gentle stretch.
Whatever feels good.
One slow breath in...
And out.
Here's your next step.
Pick one calm line for the comments.
Something like...
I'd rather talk about something else.
Say it out loud once now.
Easy tone.
Small smile.
Then at the table, if it comes up...
you already know what to say.
And then you pass the potatoes.
Your body deserves kindness.
Especially from you.
Practice that line now.