So, you’re bombarded from all angles with ‘how to work yourself thinner’ and you can’t go on social media without being sucked into the latest ‘Teatox’ craze. And with The Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years findings that 71% of childcare professionals believe children are becoming more anxious about their bodies at a younger age, we could use some body positivity.
Step in Frances Cannon, the Instagram illustrator whose tattoo has sparked a beautiful self care movement. Frances got a tattoo saying ‘self love club’, telling the i-D that ‘I wanted something special to mark my growth and my journey of coming to accept and love my body.’
Her tattoo and the sentiment behind it soon inspired many admirers to get replica tattoos, sparking an Instagram movement which is more than skin deep.
Anyone can join the ‘club’, so long as you respect the values of self-love and pledge to take care of yourself both physically and mentally.
One such member, Sarah Bishop, spoke to i-D about her decision to get the tattoo alongside one of her closest friends. She says it is symbolic of them ‘both starting a new journey in our lives and focusing on ourselves and cultivating our self love.’
Cynics have questioned whether the movement is more of a ‘fan club’ for Frances, who quickly dismisses this, saying “I don’t see it as a fan club and I don’t think anyone else does.’
In a world where women face an uphill slog in the battle against negative self-image, I’m all for a bit of public self-love. And if women are coming together to love each other as well? Even better.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.