Food, Body & Right Relationships
Lately I have been thinking about what it means to be in right relationship. Right relationship is a term often used in environmental ethics, and it is deeply rooted in the practices and spirituality of many indigenous cultures. This ecological worldview speaks to a way of being that, “recognizes the harmony and interconnectedness of all life, including the more-than-human world, as well as our responsibility and reciprocity in these relationships.”1
Given that each one of us is in relationship to the Earth, to the ourself, to food, and to our physical bodies, it is important to think about how we are relating. What makes a good relationship? At a core level, three elements of any good relationship are; engaging in deep and active listening, cultivating strong communication, and taking actions that support the wellbeing of said relationship.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Potawotami ecologist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass said, “It’s not the land which is broken, but our relationship to the land.”2 This profound statement emphasizes just how crucial relationship is. If human relationship to the land is broken, it is one that needs attention and care. I wonder, where have we stopped listening? Where has communication become disconnected? And what are the actions of care that will restore balance in the relationship?
I think about this with the body, too, as it is a part of nature. In the same vein that Kimmerer speaks from, I strongly believe that your body is not broken. And, if your relationship to food and body feels painful or distressing, healing is needed in the relationship. If you are experiencing any of the following;
Distrusting hunger or fullness cues
Feeling out of touch with hunger and fullness cues
Suppressing or ignoring hunger or fullness cues
Interfering with food intake to control or manipulate your body
Engaging in harsh, hateful, or negative self talk with your body
What information does this share about your relationship to your body? To nature and Earth? To life itself? All healing is connected. And any action that we take to create right relationship, whether that is with ourself, our body, other people, or Earth, impacts the wellness of the whole. Not only this, healing your relationship to food and body may also open up more energy to invest in your relationship with Earth, or other actions that support the healing of humanity.
Below I have put together a list of questions to feel into or write on. There is so much exploration to be had within ourselves by simply slowing down to ask with curiosity, and then listening to what emerges. Feel welcome to answer all ten prompts, or let yourself be drawn to the questions that stand out to you.
This deep healing work is my passion and purpose, and I feel honored to sit with people who are ready to dive in. If you feel that extra support would be beneficial to you, I invite you to reach out about nutrition therapy.
A brainstorm I did about the qualities of a right relationship.
Inquiries for a Deeper Dive:
How would you describe your current relationship to food? To your body?
What parts of these relationships do you enjoy? What parts feel painful?
When and how do you listen to your body? When and how do you override or ignore your body?
How are you communicating to your body? What kinds of thoughts and feelings do you direct towards your body?
What comes up for you when your body communicates hunger to you? What does it feel like physically? What emotions do you have about the experience of hunger, if any?
What comes up for you when your body communicates fullness to you? What does it feel like physically? What emotions do you have about the experience of fullness, if any?
What actions do you take that support your relationship to food and your body?
What actions do you take that harm your relationship to food and your body?
What does right relationship mean to you when it comes to food and your body?
What listening, communication, or action is needed to restore right relationship to yourself?
I am grateful for your presence. Here’s to your healing!
With Heart,
Sydney
Meet the Author
Sydney Carroll is a dietitian based in Seattle, WA. She supports people who are healing from eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image shame.
