February the 14th

With Valentine's Day coming up, it becomes almost inevitable to become consumed by this Hallmark holiday that wants us to believe that buying chocolates and flowers for our loved ones will make them truly happy. As cheesy as this may sound, I appreciate these Holidays because it gives us all an opportunity to be in the same loving mindset. Besides, it is one of the very few days of the year where one will not be judged by others for trying to show some appreciation. Showing affection for a loved one, friends, family, a pet, etc., is extremely rewarding but I think Valentine's Day can be a good way of reminding ourselves that the rest of the year we should focus on rewarding and appreciating ourselves above all. Valentine's day is one day out of the year, and the other 364 days can really be used to pay attention to what our body is telling us we need, to what makes us truly happy and truly upset, to what inspires us, and finally, to what makes us feel at peace at the end of the day. One of the reasons I love holidays so much is because they give us an opportunity to show a side of us that we have been hiding all year. Valentine's day likes to target our sensitive side, and while for some this day might be a good way of releasing true feelings, for others it becomes dreadful because this day can really make them deal with their emotions. I say we use Valentine's day as a way of reminding ourselves that the rest of the year is about loving ourselves, so that on this day we can share that with our loved ones and not dread the day on our calendars.

By: Diana Hinojosa

Diana is the undergraduate intern at the Awakening Center. She is a drop-in support group co-leader on Tuesday nights and is a student at DePaul University with a double major in psychology and journalism.

Loving Your Body and Yourself

What does body image mean to you? What are your thoughts on your body? Do you like it? Hate it? Feel too uncomfortable in your own skin? Body image isn’t about how you look it's about how you think you look combined with all your criticisms, judgment, and emotions connected to yourself and how you think you look. It is these criticisms, judgments and emotions that drive the body hating. It’s time to reframe your thoughts on your body.

Your body is the vehicle you have been given in order to do what you do. While its necessary to address the inner critics associated with body image, it’s also important to reframe your approach to thinking about your body. Try starting with your hands they may not be the shape or size you want but think of what they do for you. There are so many things you do each day that would be much more difficult without your hands! Other parts of your body and your body as a whole function the exact say way. So next time you’re thinking I hate my legs, arms, nose, body try to remind yourself all of the things you couldn’t do without it. It’s time to begin the journey to loving your body and loving yourself.

Peacefully,

Kira Redig

Kira is the art therapy intern at the Awakening Center, and there are currently openings in her Body Image group. She can be contacted at (773) 929-6262 x13