The Selfie Game: A practice for Body Positive Thoughts

We live in a world where fitness and diet culture have seeped into every corner of our lives. From social media to advertising, we’re constantly bombarded with messages about how our bodies should look, and it’s easy to feel like we’re not good enough. For years, I found myself falling into the same trap—criticizing my body, believing the false promises of a “perfect” shape, and thinking that how I looked determined my worth.

But as I worked to deprogram these deeply ingrained, toxic beliefs, I developed a practice that helped me transform how I see myself—inside and out. I call it The Selfie Game, and it has become one of my favorite simple ways to care for my body and my mental health.

What is The Selfie Game?

It might sound simple, but The Selfie Game is a tool for learning how to challenge the negative thoughts we often have about our bodies and replace them with thoughts rooted in self-love. The idea is to start with a familiar action—taking a mirror selfie—but then take it a step further.

Here’s how it works:

1. Start with a “Good” Pose.
   I begin by striking a pose that makes me feel “good”—the kind we’re all taught to do. You know, hand on hip, knee popped, body contorted in just the right way to create an illusion of perfection. I take the photo and then reflect on how I feel in that moment.
2. Relax and Pose Naturally.
   Next, I completely relax my body and stand like a regular human being. No posing, no trying to look a certain way—just being. I take another photo, this time capturing the version of myself that the world would typically see when I’m not trying to pose for the camera.
3. Listen to the Thoughts.
   When I first started, I noticed the immediate shift in my thoughts. The posed photo usually brought up words like “beautiful,” “fit,” and “sexy.” But the relaxed, natural photo? That’s where the self-criticism crept in: “gross,” “not good enough,” “ugly,” “hide.”

It’s fascinating how we can hold such contrasting beliefs about ourselves in a matter of seconds—all based on a slight change in how we present ourselves. One moment, we feel empowered; the next, we tear ourselves down. But what does that say about the truth of those beliefs?

Challenging the Thoughts

At this point in the practice, the goal is not just to listen but to actively challenge the negative thoughts. I ask myself: Why do I feel this way about my relaxed body? Is this belief rooted in truth, or is it something that has been conditioned into me by a culture profiting off my insecurities?

By exposing these thoughts, I’m able to rewrite the narrative. I remind myself that my body is not an ornament, it’s a powerful vehicle that enables me to live my life, to move, to feel. The more I practice this, the more those taunting thoughts lose their power.

The Transformation

Over time, The Selfie Game has helped me fall in love with my body in ways I never thought possible. I’ve learned to embrace every curve, jiggle, stretch mark, and roll—things I once tried to hide, I now see as beautiful. And the more I played this game, the more I started to disconnect from the voices of diet culture and instead listen to my own.

This practice has shown me that body shape is the least interesting thing about us. It doesn’t define our health, nor does it define our worth. If someone’s love or care for you is based on your appearance, that’s a sign to rethink those relationships.

What truly matters is how you feel on the inside. No mirror, person, or picture can capture that part of you, and that’s where real health and happiness live.

Why This Practice Matters

In a world obsessed with appearances, we need to actively work on changing the conversation we have with ourselves. The Selfie Game is just one way to challenge the toxic narratives we’ve been taught about our bodies, and it can lead to profound shifts in how we view ourselves.

The goal is to love and accept our bodies as they are—not just on “good” days, but every day. This practice reminds me that I am more than just a body, and I hope it can do the same for you.

Try It for Yourself

If you’re looking for a way to start deprogramming your brain from the toxic fitness and diet culture, I encourage you to give The Selfie Game a try. The next time you catch yourself criticizing your body, take a step back. Strike your best pose, then relax and take another photo. Listen to the thoughts that come up, and challenge them with kindness and curiosity.

With time, you might find that those taunting thoughts no longer hold the same weight—and you might just fall in love with yourself in the process.