How do you feel about your body? Do you love it? Do you hate it? 

I hope you love your body, but if you hate it or are ambivalent about it, or anywhere in between, please know that the issue is so much bigger than you. Do you know how much profit is made from people hating their bodies? What a massive industry is out there taking our money as we strive to change and improve the way we look? Isn’t it time that we found a way to reclaim our unique bodies and learn to love them, madly?

Our feelings can be a mixed bag; and quite confusing:

• Mad (angry, frustrated) when we think we’re not okay; that we should look different, which makes us suffer from so many negative thoughts and judgments that they seem to poison our minds.
• Mad (insane) when we can’t, don’t, or won’t accept and love ourselves just the way we are.
• Mad (enthousiastic, excited) about having a body that allows us to experience life with all our senses, no matter what size or shape we are or the limitations that define us. Mad happy about being alive!

For people who suffer from negative self-image, much of our lives have been controlled by deeply-ingrained ideals that we can never live up to. Tired of this roller coaster of shame and yearning to be different, I want to share what I’ve learned from these struggles and to hear how others manage to navigate their lives with similar limitations. The severity of the lack of self-love and self-confidence jeopardizes careers,  relationships and our freedom of expression. The only way to peace I’ve found has been through an ongoing practice of writing, drawing, photography and self-portraiture, and this blog is to bring that practice to others.

My name is Colette, and I am really quite mad-angry about all the vital life energy that I have lost compulsively turning to food for comfort, self-sabotaging my creativity, feeling self-conscious about my looks and doubting my self-worth. This drawing practice has helped immensely, and helped me get mad about my body in the best way possible!  I invite you to join me on this journey of discovering new perspectives, no matter how mad you may be about your body in any sense of the word!