Such a great chat! Teri is THE one who speaks the words of my heart, I don’t know how she always has the best cosmic timing in my life, but her language always helps me connect the words to my inner self in a way that truly, deeply, helps me feel less alone. I sent her a love letter back in 2015 or so when my boudoir photography business was shifting into a body liberation mindset and her words of encouragement that she sent back helped me stay the course in the face of the industry that clearly did not want to accommodate larger or ‘different’ bodies.
And we have made huge strides since then, thanks a great deal to her. The industry is so much more inclusive largely in part to Teri.
I am so glad two of my favourite people took the time for this conversation today, as always much needed, loved and appreciated ♥️
Loved your chat! ❤️ That question of ‘how I feel when someone else loses weight’ really resonated with me.
A close friend with whom I’ve shared many conversations about the struggles of existing in our anti-fat society, and the sense of freedom we’re now feeling on our paths of letting go our own personal decades of IWL — showed up for our recent meet-up having lost a visibly large amount of weight, having just come from her diet club meeting. I hadn’t seen her for a few months, and was flabbergasted.
I’ve been sitting with my feelings for a long while, knowing it’s my stuff to deal with. But Teri’s sense of not belonging rang such a bell for me, as I realised I felt betrayed by my friend, as she’d been an IRL ally and compatriot. After reflection, I realised I felt betrayed not so much by her weight loss as by the fact that she never referred to it at all. I felt like we had this mutual and deeply held value that she had discarded as insignificant — and I was making that a judgement about me.
I have more work to do on all the stuff that this brings up for me. A really interesting point is why do I think she owes me an explanation? But I do rejoice in the realisation that jealousy is not in my reaction. After 40+ years of IWL, I feel soft and content in my choice to allow my fat body to exist how it wants and needs to, finally in peace.
Yes, Kathy!! Your story is one that I imagine resonates with many of us, and I love how you shared your reflections and realization with us. It’s always a challenge to untangle with diet culture has done to us, and I’m grateful to witness your untangling. ❤️❤️❤️
Such a great chat! Teri is THE one who speaks the words of my heart, I don’t know how she always has the best cosmic timing in my life, but her language always helps me connect the words to my inner self in a way that truly, deeply, helps me feel less alone. I sent her a love letter back in 2015 or so when my boudoir photography business was shifting into a body liberation mindset and her words of encouragement that she sent back helped me stay the course in the face of the industry that clearly did not want to accommodate larger or ‘different’ bodies.
And we have made huge strides since then, thanks a great deal to her. The industry is so much more inclusive largely in part to Teri.
I am so glad two of my favourite people took the time for this conversation today, as always much needed, loved and appreciated ♥️
I love that you sent Teri a love letter!! Thank you for sharing how Teri's work supported your own. xx
Loved your chat! ❤️ That question of ‘how I feel when someone else loses weight’ really resonated with me.
A close friend with whom I’ve shared many conversations about the struggles of existing in our anti-fat society, and the sense of freedom we’re now feeling on our paths of letting go our own personal decades of IWL — showed up for our recent meet-up having lost a visibly large amount of weight, having just come from her diet club meeting. I hadn’t seen her for a few months, and was flabbergasted.
I’ve been sitting with my feelings for a long while, knowing it’s my stuff to deal with. But Teri’s sense of not belonging rang such a bell for me, as I realised I felt betrayed by my friend, as she’d been an IRL ally and compatriot. After reflection, I realised I felt betrayed not so much by her weight loss as by the fact that she never referred to it at all. I felt like we had this mutual and deeply held value that she had discarded as insignificant — and I was making that a judgement about me.
I have more work to do on all the stuff that this brings up for me. A really interesting point is why do I think she owes me an explanation? But I do rejoice in the realisation that jealousy is not in my reaction. After 40+ years of IWL, I feel soft and content in my choice to allow my fat body to exist how it wants and needs to, finally in peace.
Yes, Kathy!! Your story is one that I imagine resonates with many of us, and I love how you shared your reflections and realization with us. It’s always a challenge to untangle with diet culture has done to us, and I’m grateful to witness your untangling. ❤️❤️❤️