Let’s Get Real: Talking About Our Bodies with Love
Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt confused about what you see? Some days you might feel good, and other days you might feel unsure, wishing something about your body looked different. If that sounds like you, you're not alone. So many girls feel the same way, even if they don’t always talk about it.
Here at The Girl Lab, we believe your body is not a problem that needs to be fixed. It’s a part of who you are—and it deserves kindness, not criticism. That’s why we’ve created a space where girls can talk about their bodies, their feelings, and all the messages the world throws at us.
Why It Feels So Hard Sometimes
From a young age, girls see pictures, videos, and ads that show one "perfect" way to look. These pictures are everywhere: on social media, in TV shows, in magazines. They show girls with super clear skin, tiny waists, perfect hair—what you don’t realize is all of those images are edited or filtered to look that way.
So what happens? We compare. We think, "Why don’t I look like that?" or "If I just lost weight, got taller, or changed my hair, maybe I’d be pretty too." But here’s the truth: no one looks perfect all the time, not even the people in the pictures.
The Comparison Trap
It’s easy to look at other girls and feel like you don’t measure up. That’s called comparison culture. It makes us think that someone else’s beauty takes away from our own. But that’s not true.
Your body is your own. It moves, breathes, dances, plays, hugs, and laughs. It’s not here to look a certain way. It’s here to help you live your life.
enter: The Girl Lab
The Girl Lab is a place where you can be real. You can talk about what it’s like to grow up seeing all these pictures and hearing all these messages. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just have to be open and honest.
We’re here to listen, support, and grow together.
What We Do in Girl Lab Sessions:
1. Real Talk Circles
We sit in a circle and talk about our feelings. It’s a safe space. You can say things like:
"I feel weird about my body."
"I hate how I look in photos."
"I compare myself to girls online."
And you know what? Other girls feel the same way. You’re not alone.
2. Journaling Time
We give you fun and thoughtful writing prompts like:
What would I say to my body if it could hear me?
When did I first feel unsure about my body?
What do I love about myself that isn’t about looks?
Writing things down can help you understand your feelings and where they come from.
3. Breaking Down Media Messages
We look at social media, magazines, and shows and talk about what’s real and what’s fake. We show how filters and editing work so you can see how different real life is from what’s online.
4. Learning to Speak Kindly
We help each other learn how to speak better about our bodies—and other people’s too. Instead of saying, "I feel fat today," we try:
"My body helped me get through this day."
"She looks great and so do I."
"I’m more than how I look."
It takes practice, but it works.
5. Creative Projects
We do fun things like making vision boards, drawing, writing poems, and more. These projects help us see our bodies in a new way. Every scar, freckle, or stretch mark is part of your story—and that story matters.
Why This Space Matters
When you walk into a Girl Lab session, you don’t have to pretend. You don’t have to smile if you don’t feel like it. You can just be you. And you’ll find other girls who are feeling the same things.
Something amazing happens when we feel seen and heard: we start to feel better. We start to understand that we are not alone, and we don’t have to change to be enough. We already are.
Love always,
The Girl Lab Team
