Resources for talking about/reading about body stuff

Hi @fruitisgood

Im not really good with this stuff but @Jynx might be able to give a little guidance

Thanks for the tag @Captain24 😊

@fruitisgood you are right, it is a very taboo topic in many circles. I'm glad to hear you are seeking some support about it, I hope it is a good fit and helps you to understand yourself better.

Do you feel like your dysphoria may be related to gender? Whether you find that you're part of the queer umbrella or not, there's always room for those who are questioning within the trans and gender diverse community. We are, unfortunately, also highly represented in the mental illness world - as in there is statistically higher numbers of trans and gender non-conforming (GNC) people who experience mental health issues compared to the cis-het population. So in those community spaces, mental health is a pretty common topic.

I can absolutely recommend Q-Life as a service to connect with to explore further. Call or webchat, and I do believe they're staffed entirely by queer people.

I hope you can find the support you're looking for, the insight you seek, and the community you deserve 😊💜

@fruitisgood I think it is great you asked thequestion and I agree. Body stuff is hugely involved in mental health, whether it be coming of age, developmental, gender questioning, processing trauma, dissociating, or just depthing and feeling our feelings. I have needed many body based practices to survive, from swimming, to dance and meditations.

@Appleblossom

It really is. I think im struggling because I used to feel preyty confident in my body, even if I didnt in other aspects. Its kind of being my comfort zone I guess, even if it feels somewhat shallow to say.

Ive never had any postive role models to talk to. Im a woman and my body is changing as I get older and I feel alone in it.

@Jynx

Thanks for the reply.

I am currently trying to access a mental healthcare plan so I can get counselling sessions. I am nervous since its a new doctor though.

Im not entirely sure. I dont think so. I had some struggles with my identity a little ways back, but I feel it was a coping mechanism to handle not feeling 'fem' enough and trying to a find way to mentally force align that feeling so it wasnt uncomfortable. I think Ive settled on a more fluid identity though but I dont know.

I just dont love my body. Im sad that I cant grow all my hair due to have trichotillomania. Im finding myself being surprised at the insecurities too. There really is no rest when it comes to societal attitudes on things like appearance. Im finding it hard to take care of me.

I havent had much opportunity to explore my sexuality much

Thankyou for the resource I will look into it.

@fruitisgood I went through menopause over 10 years ago. It was a gentle sliding into what I keep calling "my sunset", so I find optimistic aspects of aging, rather than get too depressed about all the aches and pains.

I have long been on the edge regarding sexuality. I was between mad mother into virgin births and her experimental younger siblings who had many really different scenes going on. She was the oldest of 9.

I never felt pretty enough and have identified with semi butch interests in that I studied science at first. I am swinging back to acknowledging that I like to relate to many radical and interesting people, but dont need to put down my femininity. My son got upset as I was joking too much about it.

I actually feel the sensitivity in your questioning may be more en pointe than the all the gender identity questioning of the contemporary younger folk. There are good things about the discussions, and I have mix with a lot of LGBTIQ+ folk all my life.

Body dysphoria can occur from many issues. Dissociation also is our adaptations to stressors and trauma. My main thing at the moment is be kind to myself and my body. I have had chronic pain for decades. I dont think it is shallow to say you were confortable in your body. I was comfortable in my head, as the world was scary. Gradually I am allowing myself to take up more embodiment in different ways, in music, movement, and in gesture.

Sending a cooee...

@fruitisgood fingers crossed you have a good vibe with the new doc and can feel safe to open up, and be you.

Dysphoria can certainly be difficult to understand and to work through. And can totally impact cis people just as much as trans/GNC. There is sooooo much societal pressure to be/look/behave a certain way. Especially when other mental health conditions like trich have created other impacts. Finding that balance between changing/treating what you can and learning to accept what you can't can be a long journey, for sure.

I hope you're able to practice a bit of self-compassion and self-acceptance as you navigate it all 💜