36 Comments
User's avatar
Taylor Maple's avatar

every time I read your thoughts on body image and the anxiety that can surround it, I feel so incredibly seen, down to details and connections that I haven’t even explicitly put together in my own brain. I always feel like I come away feeling more kindness toward myself and with so much to think about. thank you thank you thank you.

Olivia Muenter's avatar

Thank you, Taylor. I often feel this way when I write about it, too... I'm like oh... yes, this is actually how I feel! It means a lot that it resonates with others too <3 <3

Elly's avatar

Loved this so much and I needed exactly this today. Thank you for the vulnerable and beautiful writing!

Olivia Muenter's avatar

You're so welcome. Thanks for being here.

Julie P's avatar

I haven’t read or listened to this one yet, but I love that you record audio versions of your posts! Thank you! Sometimes it’s easier to fit in listening to something.

Olivia Muenter's avatar

I'm so glad! It's one of my favorite aspects of Substack. It makes it all feel more personal, I think. And I love adding more ways for people to engage/access the content!

Cari's avatar

As a mom, I can tell you — I think about my body now more than ever. And then I feel gut wrenching guilt about how much I think about it because I don’t want my kids to know how much I think about it. It’s a brutal cycle, and I’m so sorry for how deeply this self-consciousness is ingrained in all of us. Thank you for sharing — you’re not alone and you’re helping the rest of us feel less alone too!

Olivia Muenter's avatar

This is one of my main fears (though maybe fear isn't exactly the right word) about having kids. It's so much pressure! But I'm sure the fact that you're even aware/thinking about this means you're doing such a wonderful job setting good examples for your kids. Thank you for sharing and understanding <3

Cari's avatar

🤗 thank you for your kind words.

Grace Atwood's avatar

This was fantastic. Exactly what I needed to read.

On a lighter note, we have the same deep joys. I'd just add needlepoint to my list. You might want to try it. It's meditative!

Olivia Muenter's avatar

Thank you, Grace <3 You know, needlepoint does sound very relaxing! I will have to try!

Anushri Walsh's avatar

Ugh god this was so good. I will commit to making a deep joys list too! I wish we could all just erase this conditioning to shrink, be skinnier, lose weight - I related so much to this so thank you for writing so vulnerably

Olivia Muenter's avatar

I wish that too. I really do!

Thank you so much for reading <3

Moorea's avatar

Olivia your words are so powerful and resonate so much with me. Thank you for sharing ❤️

Olivia Muenter's avatar

You're so welcome! Thank you for reading, Moorea <3 <3

Sam's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing this, it really resonated with me!

Brooke Lea Foster's avatar

This was heartbreaking and lovely and full of insight. I loved it. Thanks for the honesty! xo

Olivia Muenter's avatar

Thank you, Brooke. I appreciate it!

Kelly's avatar

All of this - I felt all of this so deeply. Radical body acceptance especially! Thank you for making me feel less manic, frantic, and alone about all of my "body stuff".

Olivia Muenter's avatar

You're so so welcome. Thanks for making me feel less alone, too <3

Sara @ the Heirloom Club's avatar

This was beautiful, inspiring, and so relatable. Thank you for sharing vulnerability and giving us a reminder of deep joys.

Olivia Muenter's avatar

Thank *you* for reading!

Tori Nardone's avatar

“I settle for surface level and I expect it to save me” 🥲🫶 that got me

Olivia Muenter's avatar

Every time!!!! Every damn time!

eve morgan's avatar

Thank you so so much for writing such a real piece + putting words to how futile it can feel sometimes. Sending love <3

Olivia Muenter's avatar

Of course. Sending love right back!! Thank you for reading!

Alli's avatar

Oh my God, I really needed to read this and know I’m not alone. Thank you for sharing those thoughts that never leave with the rest of the world.

Olivia Muenter's avatar

You're so welcome and never, ever alone!

Shannon's avatar

I need you to know that I fully laughed out loud at the “OG Penn Startion” because IYKYK.

Olivia Muenter's avatar

I'm so glad someone understands. There is a DIFFERENCE.

mal's avatar

Thank you for the soul-opening writing. I relate, and feel the same, and am so happy you ended with your Deep Joys. Mine are, running on a cool evening, learning something new, swimming, baking, reading a book so good you have a hangover after, hearing a ghost story, crisp white wine & sushi.

Olivia Muenter's avatar

Soul-opening writing is my new favorite compliment of all time. Means so much to me.

I LOVED LOVED LOVED reading your deep joys. Made me feel so happy.