Happy Thanksgiving WeekendReader.

My gratitude practice just hit 180 days and it’s changed the way I see myself.

As a teen, I spent so much energy wishing my body looked different. I wanted straight hair, an “inny” belly button, smaller calves. I thought confidence would come after I “fixed” myself.

Now, after years of working with teen girls (and a whole lot of my own growth), I see that so many are caught in that same loop- scrolling, comparing, criticizing, and changing to fit an impossible standard.

The more we focus on what’s “wrong,” the smaller our world becomes. We stop saying yes to things we love until we look better. We stop saying yes to things where we know we might not be “perfect”. We start believing our worth is measured by numbers and letters, on a scale, on a screen, on a test, on a size tag.

But over these last 180 days of gratitude journaling, I’ve learned something so powerful: Appreciation changes everything.

7 Things I Wish I Knew as a Teen About Body Image and Gratitude:

1. My body is my teammate, not my project.
2. Confidence isn’t found in mirrors, it’s built in moments of courage.
3. Move your body because it feels good, not because you “should.”
4. Gratitude quiets comparison, one small “thank you, knees, for helping me dance” at a time.
5. Strength doesn’t look a certain way, it behaves a certain way.
6. You can’t hate or shame yourself into a version you love.
7. Your worth never changes, even when your body does.

If I could give my teen self one invitation today, it would be this:

Start a gratitude list-

What is one part I can thank today for allowing me to do something I love? (Thank you nose for being able to smell those amazing chocolate chip cookies, I appreciate you feet for walking thousands of steps every day, thank you ears for helping me listen and learn…)

Not for what you wish you had, but for what you already do.

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What’s one part of you you’re grateful for today?

I'd love to hear!

With gratitude,

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Chantal

Psychologist| Teen Coach| Part of the Pyramid Psychology Team

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Come and make a one of kind Snowglobe with us! The Happiness Path (THP) Hangouts​
Saturday, November 8th | 12:00–1:30 PM | Social Grounds, Calgary
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A chance to do a hands-on craft that’s totally beginner-friendly, a little bit of easy movement (no pressure, no performance), and have a few laughs

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👉 Are you in? Register here

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