This week I’ve switched things up a bit. Yesterday I published part two of my interview with Mara Glatzel, who shared her wisdom on cultivating self-love and building a beautiful life.

So, today, I’m sharing my body image booster for the week, which I hope you find inspiring, whether you join me for this little project or not.

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

Here’s part two of my interview with Mara Glatzel, a self-love coach who authors the wise and always inspiring blog Medicinal Marzipan. Last week Mara launched her self-study Body Loving Homework E-Course. It’s a supportive and empowering e-course with practical tools for developing a healthier relationship with yourself and building a life you love.

Below, Mara shares what stands in the way of self-love (and how to overcome this obstacle), and the first step in realizing a beautiful life. She also reveals what became the toughest chapter for her to write in her e-course — and much, much more.

Learn more about Mara’s excellent e-course here. Don’t forget that Mara is generously offering a special discount code for Weightless readers. Just type in “SELFLOVE” to receive 10 percent off.

{My favorite illustration from Katie Rodgers of Paperfashion}

I have many folders on my computer, everything from inspiring articles to yummy recipes I’d like to try.

Recently I started a “reminders” folder. There I compile anything that reminds me that it’s OK to struggle, and that soon, it shall pass; anything that gives me hope and soothes my stress; anything that reminds me that I am worthy as I am.

Here are several of these pieces. I hope they resonate with you. And if they don’t, I hope you take a few moments today to find — or write — words that do.

I’m super excited to present my interview with Mara Glatzel, an incredible coach and writer. Mara helps women create the lives they want and deserve. She also authors one of my favorite blogs: Medicinal Marzipan.

Today, she officially launches her self-study Body Loving Homework E-Course. It’s a beautiful guide filled with practical and inspiring prompts, lessons and insights for cultivating a more body positive and fulfilling life. At its core, this course helps us build a compassionate and nurturing relationship with ourselves.

In part one of our interview, Mara explains why she created the course. She also shares her wisdom on self-love, the power of writing and her personal journey of learning to love herself.

One of my favorite lines: “I work with myself, instead of against myself.”

Learn more about Mara’s e-course here. (I highly recommend it.) Mara is generously offering a special discount code for Weightless readers. Just type in “SELFLOVE” to receive 10 percent off.

{via etsy by Sylvia}

Even if our body image is in a good place, for some of us, the insecurities still linger. They simply morph.

So it’s no longer fears over a bigger belly but concerns over the perfect prose. It’s no longer wanting smaller thighs but worrying if you’ve said the wrong thing.

Either way, you end up in the same place: growing self-doubt, diminished self-confidence.

{via etsy by Melissa Ganey}

Today, in the U.S., we honor Martin Luther King, Jr., who had an incredible dream and helped make it a reality.

I was inspired to share my dreams by his powerful speech and Therese Borchard’s achingly beautiful piece.

I have a dream that our society will stop judging, shaming and bullying people because of their size, shape and weight.

I have a dream that we’ll focus on cultivating healthy habits instead of remaining chained to the numbers on our scales (or calipers).

{via etsy by HoneyBoo}

A positive body image goes beyond liking your looks. It encompasses taking good care of yourself and leading a fulfilling life. In this weekly series, I share some of my favorite posts from some of my favorite bloggers on this topic. Sometimes I also share relevant pieces that I’ve written on the Web. Hope you find these links inspiring!

Body love is always available. Read this beauty from Anna aloud. Write it in your journal. And keep coming back to it. It’s that powerful.

One of the ways we can lead a fulfilling and nourishing life is by making decisions that honor us. Every day — even every hour — is another opportunity to make a decision that honors our needs, desires, intentions and well-being.

But sometimes decisions seem utterly overwhelming. And depending on the kind of mood we’re in, the stress surrounding us (and depending on how we feel about ourselves in the moment), we might forget our own boundaries and standards for self-care.

I’m super excited to introduce you to Christina Rosalie, an author and artist, who’s sharing her thoughts on self-love for this month’s series. This series was started by yours truly and Mara Glatzel, an incredibly gifted coach, blogger and writer.

We know that self-love can seem abstract and inaccessible. Our goal is to demystify self-love and bring you interviews with individuals who embody it.

{via etsy by Amariah Rauscher}

Every Monday features a tip, activity, inspiring quote or some other tidbit that helps boost your body image, whether directly or indirectly — and hopefully kick-starts the week on a positive note!

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

You might’ve heard this saying from Brian Sutton-Smith before: “The opposite of play is not work. It’s depression.”