Feel Good, Dress Better
Practicing Body Positivity
Words by Sam Lauron Photo by Eric Morales
“Many people think that body positivity means you have to think you’re sexy and cute every single day.” Austin local and stylist Nicole Seligman clarifies a common misconception many have about body positivity. “Body positivity has so much more to do with accepting your body and showing it love.”
As a former style blogger, Seligman knows a thing or two about personal style and inner beauty. What she focused on most throughout her seven years of blogging is how style and beauty intersect with self-image and body positivity. After starting conversations around fashion, body image and mental health with her online following, Seligman realized that her breadth of experience could be used to help others feel more confident about what they’re wearing. This knowledge translated into her style workbook, Feel Good, Dress Better.
The workbook takes users through the process of clearing out their closets by getting rid of pieces that no longer serve them. Whether it’s because of a job transition, weight change, or simply a new chapter in life, Seligman’s advice is to get rid of pieces that no longer fit your body or lifestyle as they “can cause some interesting mental and emotional reactions.”
Transitioning one’s wardrobe may feel like a daunting task, but Seligman suggests there’s a lot of emotion tied to the pieces hanging in our closets. Moving on from certain items, be it an old pair of jeans or business attire that’s no longer needed, can change your entire self-perception and be the boost needed to move forward. “Making that shift in your closet can make you feel confident,” says Seligman, “because you’re starting to dress for the person you want to be.”
Clearing out your closet is just one step in the process of becoming more body positive, according to Seligman. Whether it’s through shopping, getting dressed, or maintaining your appearance, body positivity is just that: showing your body love, acceptance and positivity. Practicing body positivity starts by eliminating negative self-talk because “it’s so easy for that to spiral,” notes Seligman. Instead, she encourages her clients to show love to the parts of their body that they wish they could change.
“One of my daily practices is to sit and put lotion on for like, 20 minutes, and I spend extra time rubbing lotion into the parts of my body that I struggle with and showing them love,” she smiles. Showing more positivity and love toward the body is a process that takes time, but Seligman reminds that no body deserves negativity and encourages: “All bodies are good bodies.”
Native Knowledge
You can find Nicole Seligman’s online style workbook, Feel Good, Dress Better, at feelgooddressbetter.com. Seligman also offers a curated shopping list service to help those who may want help with shopping and finding the right pieces for their lifestyle.
Contact:
feelgooddressbetter.com
@writeslikeagirl
