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{The Body Liberation Guide} Generation after generation

ByLindley Ashline

Hi friend,

An ongoing pandemic, skyrocketing cost of living and ongoing cultural and political upheaval all over the world have sent relationships that were previously “grin, grit your teeth and get through it” territory over into chaos and active conflict. At the same time, we humans seek closeness and community. We want and need celebration and together time. But it can come with a cost…. 

This is the conflicting nature of the holidays for so many of us. A season that “should” be joyful becomes an obligation to appear joyful while staggering under a stack of expectations, emotional labor and extra duties. 

For many who’ve experienced losses, trauma or tragedy around the holidays, an extra box of grief gets added to the pile. That’s not to say that the holidays suck for everyone, or that they suck all the time for those with mixed feelings. I might enjoy a holiday karaoke night with friends (at least, pre-pandemic) and utterly dread going to a family gathering the next day (or vice versa). 

You deserve to have a holiday season that’s happy, not a punishment for being you. For those of us who struggle at the holidays, here are 40+ of the best resources on how to set boundaries, take care of ourselves, and know when to draw the line. This is a long one, so you’ll want to head to the full post to see all the resources. Read on »

A colorful abstract graphic with text that reads, Changing the world is up to you. It's only possible to offer the Body Liberation Guide and all its labor for free because people like you support it. $1 USD per month helps out, and $5 and up gets you access to the full Conversation, full event listings, my body liberation library and more. Support the Body Liberation Guide.

The Conversation

Here’s what’s being discussed this week in the world of body acceptance and fat liberation: 

» Allyship opportunity: Trans Lifeline needs your urgent donations (see) 

» Large study shows high BMI not associated with serious top-surgery complications (read) 

» Send this to your thin friends (read) 

» Fat Bubble: Jordan Underwood (read) 

» I don’t think we should be asking health professionals “what advice would you give a thin person?” (watch) 

» We wouldn’t buy into a get rich quick scheme, so why are we still buying into diets as a solve-all? (read) 

🦄 Unicorn chaser: Flying high in Shibuya Tokyo (see)

Upcoming Events

» Demystifying Disability Speaker Series Presents: Topping Your Primary Care Provider Dec 7 

» Midlife ED Support Group Dec 4 

» Radical Movement Dance Class Dec 6 

» Sit and Dance Dec 7 

» Bear Creek Hike: Ontario Canda Dec 9

Quick Resources: On Toxic Masculinity

» Origins of Weight Stigma #4: Toxic masculinity and sexism 

» How Toxic Masculinity Is Ruining Your Workplace Culture 

» What Is Toxic Masculinity? 

» Toxic Masculinity and Gender Roles 

» Shifting the Conversation: From Toxic Masculinity to Male Fragility

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Lindley Ashline

Hi there! I'm Lindley. I create artwork that celebrates the unique beauty of bodies that fall outside conventional "beauty" standards at Body Liberation Photography. I'm also the creator of Body Liberation Stock and the Body Love Shop, a curated central resource for body-friendly artwork and products. Find all my work here at bodyliberationphotos.com.

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