Taking up space!

Taking up space 

Ive wanted to talk about this for a while. Taking up space in my fat body is so essential, it's political, and it's a perspective I now live by.

My journey is fast-forwarded due to my career and how I can curate my bubble. ( Absolutely NO lunchroom talk about shredding for summer around the water cooler).   I bring this up as I know it can be particularly challenging during the summer holiday period, and seeing particular family or friends.  But honestly, we all need to remember we are amazing just the way we are.  Once I switched my mentality to taking up space, enjoying and celebrating what my body does for me every day, and being very picky about who I spend time with, I started to feel different in showing up for myself.  Showing up for myself can be about moving my body, going for a swim, being in a photo and not needing to approve it or resting and not feeling guilty about it.  Put simply, I began to live. I gave less of a shit about opinions and more about showing up. 

I've included some pictures of me below, capturing magical times Ive lived.  A spontaneous swim in my undies at Waihi Beach, trying to catch a spider with a pot lid, fresh spring water swimming and lying in the grass talking shit with one of my best friends, moments at cafes, and trying out that walk-run thing, picture-taking TikTok thing.  All these pictures wouldn't be seen as flattering, but for me, they capture moments I treasure and look at with such love and warmth and Im so glad I have them to remember the feelings of joy I felt. 

Mostly, don't hide.  Free the arms (it's much cooler as the weather heats up), be in the photos, and do the spontaneous things that will make your heart sing. 

Aroha Nui
Sarah-Jane