You Should Know :: Happy Bodies
{via pinterest}
You know when you stumble upon something really fantastic, or really smart, or really thought-provoking, and you think, “Dang, I wish I had thought of that!”
That’s what happens every time I wander over to Happy Bodies.
Happy Bodies is a blog that rocks my socks off every time I read a post. The strength of the site comes in part from the fact that it’s an outlet for a multitude of voices. It shows that there’s truly power in the collective. It also comes from the fact that those voices are stellar.
Covering topics from depression self-help books to fat phobia to Pepsi’s skinny can, the ladies of Happy Bodies lend a unique and powerful dimension to the body positivity movement. They’re all students or former students of Carleton College, an itty-bitty liberal arts school in Minnesota. The concept for the site was born when founder Becky sent co-founder Jill a post about how Oprah should learn to love her size. The two decided that a space was needed to talk about bodies –
“We wanted to talk about our own: what they look like, what they do, what we think about them. And we wanted to talk about all our bodies: health and positivity, discrimination, sexual violence, and power,” they write. [See more about the evolution on this video.]
And that they do. The topics are varied, the content fresh, the ideas stimulating. They’re bring feminism back in a powerful way, and they don’t apologize for it.
And they welcome new voices on the site. Becky told me recently, “We really value personal narratives about people’s relationships with their bodies, as well as any other thoughts about bodies in the world!” She added that anyone who is interested in guest posting should check out the guidelines for submission and writing prompts on the site.
To get you started, here are a couple of my favorite posts since I’ve been following:
“Manorexia”, “Metrosexuals” and belittling male experience of eating disorders.
Reclaiming body acceptance: a disability perspective
The evidence for fat phobia
The Last Time
What, me worry?
Alright, if you’re still reading this post, stop it and go check out Happy Bodies now.
What keeps your body happy?
Becky
26 days ago
Thanks for the great write-up, Ashley!
Becky recently posted..C’mon Get Happy: HB Link Love
Tatiana S.
26 days ago
I think your body will be happy if you have proper rest, sleep, diet and good food. You should surround yourself with happy people. Don’t you think so?
Thanks for sharing about happy bodies. Will definitely read it too!
-Tatiana
Tatiana S. recently posted..homes for sale in puchong
Alex @ Raw Recovery
25 days ago
In my recovery I am definitely learning what keeps my body happy. Eating more of a plant-based diet while still receiving all the proper nutrients I need has not only calmed my digestive system, but helped me heal in terms of my eating disorder and the way I view my relationship with my mind, body, and the world around me. Fresh air also keeps my body happy as does snuggling with my dog and having him fall asleep on my lap.
Alex @ Raw Recovery recently posted..Sensing Energy Workshop Review and Trying to Focus
Claire
21 days ago
Sunshine keeps my body happy, as does stretching and smoothies. I just checked out Happy Bodies, and you’re right, it’s a great blog!
Thank you for the recommendation. :)
Claire recently posted..How Do I Compare?
Sarah
21 days ago
This is awesome! Thank you for the beautiful words and inspiration. I’m still figuring that out for myself. Good ideas!
Sarah recently posted..A Letter to my Body