By elizabeth patch, on April 21st, 2013
Spring Cleaning!
New growth is everywhere.
Time to rake up all the winter debris, prune the roses, plant out some new seedlings.
Spring is also the time that I get the urge to clean out closets, drawers, the attic, the garage.
And every year I ask myself the same question:
Where did all of this useless stuff come from?
Do I really need all those odds & ends in the kitchen junk drawer?
Those half-finished sweaters I lost interest in knitting?
Those knick-knacks and “collectibles” I just hate to dust ?
Do I really need to keep all those clothes I hope to someday, maybe, possibly wear again?
It’s hard to let go but
it always feels so liberating to clear out the junk.
But what about all the emotional junk cluttering up my life?
- The messy closet stuffed with old ideas that keep getting in my way.
- The crowded attic full of painful and conflicting emotions.
- The overflowing garage crammed with outdated beliefs,
negative thoughts and hurtful memories.
Is it possible to clean out all of this useless stuff too?
Let’s pack up ALL our junk for the most amazing Spring Cleaning ever:
Letting go of the emotional stuff we no longer need!
- I once needed ____________, but now I’ve outgrown it.
- I used to be ____________, but now I’m ______________.
- ___________ was true, but not anymore.
- ______________ made me feel __________, but that’s in the past.
- Guess what? I don’t even really like _________________!
 What new possibility can you make room for this Spring?
Another illustrated post on the emotional issues of trying on clothes in order to clean out a closet.
Full Closet, Nothing to Wear!
By elizabeth patch, on April 2nd, 2013
Healthy Attitude
Lose weight?
Maybe. Maybe Not.
I exercise for strength,
for health,
for fun,
for me!
© elizabeth patch,
from More to Love
Do you think of exercise only for the purpose of weight loss?
Is the joy of walking through a park in springtime measured by how many calories you burn?
Does the feeling of power you get when you use your body to dance or lift or stretch or make love disappear
when you realize you haven’t dropped a pound?
Weight loss from exercise is not guaranteed,
but so what?
Regular movement/exercise
has many, many benefits
for bodies of all shapes, sizes, ages,
and levels of ability:
- Increased levels of energy
- Reduction of stress
- Relief from pain
- Increased flexibility
- Better stamina
- Improved muscle tone
- More restful sleep
- And yes! better sex
Your one-and-only life deserves the benefits of
more energy, relief from stress and pain, increased stamina, better sleep and sex.
Your one-and-only body deserves the benefits of
regular movement, joyful movement, challenging movement, relaxing movement.
These benefits are for all bodies, every body, your body
whatever size you happen to wear.
I exercise for strength, for health, for fun, for ME!
What is your favorite form of happy exercise/movement?
How does it make you feel?
Does it matter if you lose weight or not from exercise?
By elizabeth patch, on March 24th, 2013
  I’M NOT INTERESTED
in your opinion
about my body!
You might not be able to stop other people from making negative judgments about your body,
but maybe you can work on being a bit kinder and gentler with yourself.
Stop Complaining About Your Body
I Hate My Face
Girl Talk
10 Compliments that Don’t Mention Looks
Two versions to share: one with curly hair, one with straight.
So go ahead: share, pin, print , color !
Smiles! elizabeth
comments always welcome
By elizabeth patch, on March 17th, 2013
I love my muffin top.
Well, not exactly. . .
In fact,
I’m less than thrilled about it,
but I’ve been trying to accept it
as best as I can.
I adapt to my jelly belly
by choosing clothes that float over my fluffy midsection.
I use all the usual tricks
to minimize a thick waistline:
tunic tops over leggings,
higher waisted jeans,
long jackets and sweaters,
belts that give an illusion of curves,
dresses that show off legs.
I try to follow the advice of
“great accessories,
a big smile
and a confident attitude”.
Some of you may know that I’m in long-term recovery from eating disorders.
In fact, it was my own body image issues, and those of my friends, family members and students
that lead me to writing and illustrating on this topic.
After years of learning to honor,
rather than hate, my body,
I thought I was doing OK.
And then: Skinny Jeans in Hot Colors!
Not “slimming” colors like black or dark denim.
Brilliant red and peacock blue, salmon pink and mustard yellow, kelly green and violet!
Brightly colored skinny jeans seem to be in every magazine, catalog,
online ad, store window and mall display.
So cute! So modern and fresh!
I want some hot-colored skinny jeans too!
They’ll look great with flats, with heels, with everything.
Except, of course, the models are all
very tall and very thin,
with athletically flat tummies…
I am none-of-the-above. And I know it.
Surprise! But really it was no surprise at all…
I found myself on the verge of tears in the mall dressing room.
Abdominal fat and skin were spilling over the top of
the adorable, low cut, brightly colored skinny jeans.
I couldn’t resist pinching myself .
Until it hurt.
Negative, self-destructive, nasty thoughts came rushing back in
as if they had been lined up and waiting for the opportunity
to knock me off my self-esteem high horse.
Irrational, emotional thoughts reminding me of the harsh lesson
I had learned somewhere along the way:
I am flawed. Ugly. Disgusting.
I am not good enough.
I just wanted something cute and new to wear!
Instead, I got another reminder of how fragile self-esteem can be.
Yes, I know better:
- I am not a fashion model.
- Some styles are not flattering on me.
- I have a “perfectly normal” body for someone my age, who has given birth to two children.
And yet the old body-hatred demons were still there,
lurking under the surface,
ready to rear their mean-spirited heads . . .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Somewhat happy ending:
I bought a pair of the brightly colored skinny jeans that caused me to cry!
In the right size, with the right accessories, they are stylish and fun.
Wearing them forces me to practice what I preach:
Every body,
regardless of size, shape, age or weight,
is a wonder of nature.
Every body deserves love and respect.
My very own muffin top,
which sits there all round and cozy under my yoga pants,
is a part of me
whether I hide it or deny it,
love it or hate it.
I kinda love it.
Or at least I’m trying.
Have you ever had a body image/fashion melt down?
What did you do? Please leave a comment & share.
Your stories might help some else.
By elizabeth patch, on February 13th, 2013
More to Love.
No, not more to tolerate.
Not more to half-heartedly accept.
Not more to sorta, kinda, almost like.
No ironic air-quotes or self-deprecating jokes.
Take it literally: More to
continue reading to see the illustration!
By elizabeth patch, on February 2nd, 2013
I am a solid investment with substantial returns.
I’m the luxury model with bonus features.
Extra options and big benefits
come standard with me.
Perhaps you know a solid woman.
She faces everything
with strength and stamina,
courage and intelligence,
honor and dignity.
She turns small opportunities
into generous results.
Chances are,
the substantial value
that she returns
to everyone in her life
has
continue reading to see the illustration!
By elizabeth patch, on January 12th, 2013
I am a strong confident woman!
Practice saying this
until you believe:
I am a strong
confident
woman.
Whatever your size,
whatever your shape,
your age,
your income,
or your position in life:
Ignore distractions
and remain focused.
Learn from your failures
and remain determined.
Believe in your strengths
and be empowered.
Become the strong, confident woman of your dreams!
By elizabeth patch, on January 6th, 2013
I move my body with grace and ease.
Like many people,
I am not in the best physical condition I could be.
Every winter I used to join the January hordes at the local gym, and struggled to “whip myself into shape”.
But this year I am trying a kinder, gentler approach.
This year
continue reading to see the illustration!
By elizabeth patch, on December 31st, 2012
2013 is the year I lose __________
and gain __________.
No, this year’s resolution
is not about losing or gaining weight. . .
Real change is about losing
(letting go, dropping, releasing, dissolving)
negative ideas, attitudes and behaviors
and gaining
(learning, adding, growing, replacing)
ideas, attitudes and behaviors that
make sense for who you are right now.
Lose those things
continue reading to see the illustration!
By elizabeth patch, on December 21st, 2012
Love & Joy to You!
elizabeth patch
the original sketch (and blog post) for this Christmas card illustration
and just for fun: Ladyland Holiday Insanity!
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