More than a month of Meme's...

...And what I gave energy too instead

I hesitated to post this blog, but it's got to go.

In a crisis, humour well used can be an incredible plus and Lord knows I've needed to laugh in the last month plus (like most of us).

Lots of the things I've laughed at have been about parental sanity on the home-school front and Zoom fails in a work capacity. But what I haven't found relief in, has been all the weight gain memes... 

...I know, it's just banter right? Wrong. Banter is too close to bullying in my book - the line between them, wafer thin.

There are several issues with weight gain memes including - they're often upsetting to those who are already larger than society deems acceptable, it's triggering to those who have/have had disordered eating, and that it suggests that weight gain is somehow worse or funnier than things like my hair falling out and my skin getting dry and sore.

I know that for some the fear of weight gain is a big, real, legitimate issue and that's the point - it's a genuine concern to some and therefore shouldn't be such an easy, thoughtless share for a laugh for others.

I am mindful that I have the privilege of being in a smaller body, so my concern might be deemed odd. However putting myself in someone else's shoes - 1. it's about being sensitive and 2. it's about trying to be an ally.

I am also aware that some people have used the memes to be self-deprecating, perhaps to get the joke in before someone else does. That makes me sad. Times are tough enough without feeling the need to further push or punish ourselves.

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So, rather than comment on every meme post  - to save my energy and yet do something - I decided to put forward positive things over fighting over negative things. I even pushed past personal discomfort and self-doubt posted a few videos*

The subjects I covered included nourishment, movement and more to post encouraging messages and to gently push back on some of the narratives I was seeing.
Blog here: https://damsonbelle.blogspot.com/2020/03/seven-days-in-isolation-with-bcc.html

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Nothing I did will change the world but I do hope that I made a few people reflect on what they'd been posting and more importantly helped a few people feel a little less anxious about putting on weight. And I hope this blog has that affect too. 

As one of my video's points to* - its about making a genuine, personal choice though: if you're sure that you do want to do the uber-fitness thing for example, go ahead; but, if not consider this... if we can't chill a little, and eat the damn cake if we want to, when in a pandemic lockdown no less when can/will we?


Let's get through this #TogetherApart.
Best wishes
Denise 💞💞💞

To find out more, get in touch via the social media channels etc below or go to * https://www.facebook.com/groups/2653606204690681/

Seven Days in Isolation with the BCC...

...And does it really matter?

Given such challenging times, I asked myself if the body confidence agenda and cards had a place in the conversation.

When I accepted the answer was yes, I set off on seven days of sharing something to keep people positive in between all the bad news and instead of all the messages that were making me feel like I had to do a five mile run every day and develop abs in a week!

Each day the 'challenge' set was based on the Body Confidence Cards. More fundamentally they were about taking care of our mental health and emotional wellbeing, and not all focussed how we look or feel about our bodies as such.

The topics were:

• Eating Happy
• Dressing Up
• Thinking about Messaging
• Moving our Bodies for joy
• Getting Creative
• Self-care
• Reflecting on and Thanking our Bodies

Being stuck, aka safe, at home in isolation will have a different impact on everyone and that's ok. For some it will mean time to do good things, but for others it may be a time of negative rumination. The posts suggested only good things, so to answer the question 'does it really matter?' - Yes. Yes it does because at this point in time, we all need to fix our eyes on the light even in the darkness.

It started as an offer to others, but in reality it turned out to be an act of self-care as I got alot from positive thinking and sharing something each day. I've kinda missed it today, but it's been nice to reflect and I'll no doubt have to think of something else over lockdown. Watch this space!

To find out more, get in touch via the social media channels etc below or go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/2653606204690681/


Let's get through this #TogetherApart.
Best wishes
Denise x

Body Confidence and the Storm

How my fence is like Body Confidence...

...And Ciara, the nemesis!

Storm Ciara has well and truly arrived and she's taken my fence down on her travels. So, what's this got to do with body confidence you might ask...

...Well, I see body confidence as being on a spectrum (including acceptance through to love) and it's a journey we're all on, if not consciously, all the time.

Even if your body confidence is like a strong, sturdy fence, there may be times when storms come along and make you wobble or even fall over completely. 

The 'storm(s)' might be internal, hormonal, age or circumstances related, emotionally, or physically triggered. Or the trigger can be external - a negative comment, diet ad, social media image or something else.

The thing is to know that the fence should and can be patched up, rebuilt. Just as you should allow your body confidence to return, regrow and build when storm passes.

You may have the skills, experience and resilience to do this yourself or you may need an expert/buddy, but you can, will and must find what it takes to make things safe for yourself again. 

I created the body confidence cards for these times, but also more generally as the more anchored we are in general the less likely light winds will knock us off course. 

Being wobbly doesn't make us weak, but standing up post-wobble does make us stronger. Constantly building our positive body narrative might even help us weather the big hitters.

Hope Ciara doesn't do too much damage. And I hope any down days don't last too long.

Here's to standing firm and/then getting back up!

Denise x

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Reflections from Anti Diet Riot Fest

A Sunday well spent!

This time last week I was at the first ever Anti Diet Riot Fest organised by Becky Young of Anti Diet Riot Club (found on Twitter and Insta)

Being a Sunday it was touch and go if I'd get to go, but I'm really glad I made it. It's challenge to the New Year, New You mantra was right up my street!
http://damsonbelle.blogspot.com/2014/12/say-no-to-new-year-new-you.html
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/anti-diet-riot-club-interview-a4274416.html

It was, as expected, very diverse and that was refreshing given many of the people in the space and on the platform are usually expected to (and often do) make themselves somewhat invisible or at least quiet in the crowd. It's not right - That's what the movement is trying to challenge and change.

It was exciting to know that I'd be surrounded by like-minded people, see people I'd already connected with and possibly make new contacts in the body confidence space.

And I wasn't disappointed.

- What I did:

My time started with an energising dance session by the School of Strut. And OMG I seriously bleeping enjoyed it. From beginning to striking a pose at the end my focus was on keeping up, appreciating what our bodies can do and having fun... not on what I, or anyone else, looked like doing it.

I also went to some brilliant talks. The topics I listened in on were on the Snap back, Gender & Masculinity, and Race. Tough topics with some overarching themes around embracing you, intersectionality, parenting, being an ally, challenging others, the impact of the media and much more.

I also got to be creative and make a protest banner even though I was a bit, make that a lot, weak on the protesting bit!

As well as lots to do there were some good displays such as Graeme Draws art and stands such as the one showcasing a range of body confident books (a few of which I'll be purchasing when the 76th of January finally arrives!). Along with a few books, I'm also already planning my next body confidence time outs.

Whilst I sadly couldn't stay for the whole day, what I got in the time I had was like rocket fuel as the place was bright, the conversations bold and atmosphere buzzing!
Roll on 2021 I say (or a summer event maybe!)

- Next!

In the meantime if anyone wants to join me at a School of Strut dance class (you really, really should!), HOT Helen of Troy or Fempowerment, holler... but note I am not looking for company as a safety net as I'll be in a safe place with my people!

Here's to a positive year ahead,
Denise x

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2653606204690681/?ref=bookmarks

Dressing up when feeling low.

I've been in leggings and the first top I could lay my hands on for days. And that's perfectly fine, if that's your style space. But that's not in keeping with my style personality. I'm a dresser-upper.

So, why the dress-down days? Dental problems... one little hole that's given me jip!
"So what?" you might ask (given this is a style blog!)

I'll get to the point quickly: I decided today to do me and that means I've put on a dress. And it's helped me to feel better. Not well, but better.

For some it's wearing make-up, for others it's the comfort of pj's for a day. But, whatever it is that makes you feel better. It matters. Do that.

It's why an organisation like (the incredible) 'Look good, feel better' does what it does.

In and off itself, what you wear on your face or body, isn't going to heal you physically but the process of doing your thing can distract you and boost your mood, which in turn will help the production of happy, healthy self producing body chemicals.

But, as I said, do you.



Today, I'm doing 'feeling shitty but trying to look pretty'!

Hope you're well!
Denise x

Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services

Look at: http://damsonbelle.co.uk/

Follow on Twitter at: @DenDamBelle https://twitter.com/DenDamBelle

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My summer holiday style by number!

My summer holiday 1-2-6!

Holiday dressing and shopping is something I find a pleasure. I love the hotter weather, but dressing for the office in hot weather is sometimes a challenge so let's face it, in the UK I don't get to wear my shorts and sunnies that often (as weekend sunshine isn't guaranteed)!

This year was no exception, I loved planning my summer wardrobe and packing before my holiday, and shopping in Spain. So...
...Here's my 1-2-6 of this summers holiday style:

1. My make up bag travelled with me, but I really only used one item - my new "Oh my gloss" Rimmel lipgloss. It's rather lush - bright but subtle, not too sticky and stays put!

2. I seemed to do my accessories in two's* - I travelled with two hats (though only one mate it back sadly), two pairs of sunglasses, and brought two bracelets to match two rings, and two rings (not to match the bracelets!)
*I didn't stick to the two accessory rule when it came to shoes mind you!

3. I brought three new dresses: I hadn't intended to! I do always like to buy one dress on holiday as it's nice to have something that nobody else is likely to turn up wearing at a summer wedding! However, this time around I couldn't resist three beauties - one sassy, one sweet and one oh so-easy-to-wear. You can decide which the one below is...

One new dress, in white. With white sandals. Hair up, fringe back.

4. I seemed to wear four colours predominantly: red, pink, white and black. Picking colours in my palette that I could mix and match made dressing easy especially as my printed items could all be co-ordinated with one of these. It really helps with packing to focus on a few colours.

5. Shoes* are my packing nemesis - I need flip flops and trainers for practical reasons, but being petite and needing a variety of heel heights to make certain outfits work makes taking any less a challenge... for me.

On trend tropical print. Worn with hot pink. One pair of heels, out of 5 pairs of shoes.

6. My hair - I wore a curly ponytail which meant I could wear a full ponytail, a shortened ponytail and a full updo... add to that my fringe au natural, straightened or plaited and those six variations meant a whole range of 'hair-do's'

What's been your 2016 summer style by numbers, so far - make up, accessories, clothes, purchases? Let's hope we don't have to pack it all away too soon, so...

...Here's to a warm September!
Denise x

PS - More pics may follow.

7 ways your wardrobe can further your wellbeing

Have a wardrobe you love that loves you back!

I recently did a wardrobe audit with a client and was reminded how much more our wardrobes hold besides our physical clothes.

Our wardrobes sometimes hold our memories. They can hold our confidences. They can be an expression of our emotions. And in the back of them, we can try and bury the odd secret!

A not so healthy wardrobe is one that isn't helping us, such as those filled with clothes that no longer fit and keep us thinking about when they did, rather than encouraging us to dress who we are now.

A healthy wardrobe however is one that makes us smile when we open it. One that can make us feel good, not just hold the things that make us look good.

Confession: This is not my wardrobe! (Image from iconhomedesign.com)

Here are a few things you can do to ensure your wardrobe furthers your wellbeing:

1. Find in it the colour/s that boost your mood - what colours do you have in your wardrobe? Work out what your regular happy's are, if you regularly wear your pink scarf, cardigan, skirt etc think about what that's telling you. If there's a colour that you love but don't own, find your perfect shade and shop for it!
2. Clear it out - apparently de-cluttering is de-stressing, for example get rid of what doesn't fit (or put it elsewhere).
3. Pass on old stuff - there's nothing more feel good than helping others
4. Rediscover something fabulous that still fits - and wear it, you'll feel fabulous
5. That t-shirt you own that doesn't fit anymore that you just can't part with... Frame it: If you love it, why not hang it on a wall!
6. What's your happy memory outfit - wedding dress, graduation outfit stuck in the back of the wardrobe when it could be closer? Trigger the memory... if you smiled just thinking about it so imagine how you'll feel touching, smelling and dancing around in it!
7. Use your wardrobe as an opportunity to involve a friend - make it fun, get a group together and catch up. You may even be able to swap shop... Just stay away from the red wine!

The point is that you should only keep in your wardrobe, those things that make you feel great about yourself and improve your wellbeing.

And of course if you'd love a professional opinion, I'd gladly help.

Take care 'til next time,
Denise x

Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services

Look at: http://damsonbelle.co.uk/

Follow on Twitter at: @DenDamBelle https://twitter.com/DenDamBelle

Check out my Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/dendambelle/client-journeys-events/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisese_db/

Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DamsonBelle/?fref=ts 

Join: This blog!