Body Apology Letters: Developing a Strong, Healthy Relationship with your Body

As an individual who has experienced body dissatisfaction, I found it helpful to write a letter to my body as if it were a friend that I mistreated. My goal was to repair my relationship with my body by apologizing for my negative actions, thoughts, and feelings. I found this exercise helpful because it assisted me in releasing negativity that I held onto for so long. I focused on what my BODY CAN DO rather than focusing on my appearance. I did not find it easy to write the letter but it allowed me to be as REAL with myself as possible. In the past, I often struggled with expressing my feelings and thoughts about my body. Instead, I held onto my negative thoughts and never really complimented myself about my body. However, I reached a point in my life where I felt that I needed to accept my body and to take good care of it. I did not want to continue the path of molding my body to fit society’s expectations of beauty. I wanted to simply be me! The body apology letter was the beginning of a healthy relationship with my body. Sometimes, I feel down about my body and engage in negative self-talk. However, I try not to hold onto those thoughts for more than 3 seconds as it will only do harm. The body apology letter helped increase my awareness of my relationship with my body. I encourage you to write a letter to your own body. Here is my body apology letter below:

Dear Body,

I would like to be committed and invested in our relationship. There were times when I hated you, starved you, disrespected you, belittled you, devalued you, and neglected you. However, I would like to send a heartfelt apology to you for all the stress and trauma that I’ve put you through. Your presence in my life is greatly appreciated. My being would be non-existent without you. Most importantly, I would never have the capacity to survive without you. Our past relationship was difficult; however, I would like to renew our relationship with words of wisdom and love. You are beautiful, purposeful, adored, respectable, lovely, strong, fierce, and positive. I’ve grown so much from my relationship with you. I have learned that you are the most important aspect of my being and I cannot do anything without you. You are the greatest asset that God has blessed me with!

Thanks for your listening ear,
Seun Aina

PS: You are loved no matter what.