Embracing your Postpartum Body with Art
Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum rapidly bring SO MANY significant changes to your body. Navigating this new reality can sometimes be (OFTEN IS!!) challenging. Engaging in simple art activities can be a gentle and affirming way to connect with and celebrate your body after childbirth. Here’s how you can use creativity to foster acceptance and love for your postpartum physique.
1. Body Outlines
This activity involves tracing your body's outline on a large piece of paper. You can do this by lying down on the paper and having someone trace around you, or by tracing parts of your body you can reach comfortably. Once done, use colors, paint, markers, or other materials to fill in the outline. Focus on areas that have changed, highlighting them in ways that reflect strength, beauty, or simply your feelings about them. This visual representation can help you see your body as a work of art, deserving of respect and admiration.
2. Collage Making
Create a body-positive collage. Gather magazines, prints, or any other visual materials that you find inspiring or reflective of your journey. Look for images and words that resonate with your experiences or how you want to feel about your body. Assemble these into a collage that celebrates your body’s capabilities and beauty. This activity can help shift your focus from societal standards to personal empowerment.
3. Sculpting with Clay
Using clay or another sculpting material, (we love Sculpey clay, its pretty cheap and very easy to work with!) try creating shapes that represent how you feel about your postpartum body or even shapes of body parts that have changed. This doesn't have to be a literal representation but can be abstract forms that express your emotions—perhaps the softness, resilience, or the transformation your body has undergone. Sculpting can be a profoundly tactile way to connect with the changes in your body, allowing you to physically mold your perceptions into something positive and tangible.
4. Fabric Arts
Engage in activities like knitting, crocheting, or sewing to make something for your body, such as a scarf or a wrap. These crafts not only allow for creative expression but also result in a functional item that can make you feel embraced and comforted. Each stitch can be a meditative moment to think about your body’s needs and the care it deserves.
5. Photography Project
Embark on a simple photography project where you take daily or weekly photos of yourself in ways that make you feel beautiful and strong. You can experiment with different settings, outfits, props, poses, etc. Reviewing these photos over time can help you see the beauty in the everyday and document the subtle changes as you begin to see your body in a new light.
Art provides a unique pathway to self-discovery and healing, making it a perfect medium for connecting with your postpartum body.
These activities are not just about creating art; they are about creating new narratives around your body, celebrating its journey, and healing through creativity. As you engage in these artistic expressions, remember that each creation is a tribute to the incredible transformation your body has undergone and a step toward embracing it with love and acceptance.
Dawn Moore is the founder of maternal sexual health platform, ‘Mama Comes First’. She is also a Women’s Health & Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Certified Sex Educator, Midwife, and Mom of 4.
