The Feeling We Live In

We all live in a feeling—whether it’s one of self-doubt and anxiety, or peace and self-acceptance. Yet what many of us don’t realise is that these feelings aren’t created by how we look, what we see in the mirror, or the opinions of others. They are experienced from within, shaped by our own thoughts.

How Thought Shapes Our Reality

Have you ever noticed how one day you might feel okay about your reflection, yet the next day those very same features feel unbearable? Or how in one moment you can feel deeply unworthy, and later those thoughts no longer carry the same weight?

This happens because we don’t live in a feeling created by our bodies—we live in a feeling created by our thinking. When our minds are filled with critical thoughts, we experience insecurity, shame, or anxiety. When our thinking softens, we feel lighter and more at ease. The key insight here is simple yet powerful: it isn’t our appearance that changes—it’s our thoughts.

The Ever-Changing Nature of Feelings

Our feelings are fluid, constantly shifting as our thoughts change. Understanding this is deeply freeing, because it reminds us that no feeling—no matter how intense or overwhelming—can last forever.

For many women living with body dysmorphia, negative thoughts about appearance can feel permanent and inescapable. Yet they aren’t. Much like the weather, our minds move through different states. When we begin to recognise that thoughts are temporary, we no longer need to fear them. We don’t have to chase the perfect body or fix what we believe is wrong with us—we simply begin to see that our feelings reflect our thoughts in the moment, not reality itself.

Consciousness: Becoming Aware of Thought

When we believe everything, our mind tells us, it’s easy to become lost in painful thinking. But when we pause and notice our thoughts—rather than getting pulled into them—we naturally gain perspective.

This awareness allows us to see self-critical thoughts for what they are: just thoughts, not truths. They come and go, and they don’t have to define our self-worth. As this understanding grows, we stop trying to control our feelings and instead allow them to move through us naturally.

The Deep Intelligence Beneath the Noise

Beneath the constant movement of thoughts and emotions, there is something deeper within us—a quiet, steady wisdom that remains untouched by self-doubt or body image struggles. This deeper intelligence is always present, even when we’re not aware of it.

When we begin to trust this, there’s no longer a need to fix every negative thought or battle every uncomfortable feeling. We can allow them to pass, knowing that beneath it all, we are already whole, complete, and worthy.

Living with More Ease and Self-Compassion

Understanding that our feelings arise from our thoughts—not our bodies—softens the constant struggle for perfection. This doesn’t mean we’ll never experience difficult moments, but it does mean we no longer need to fear them.

As we learn to trust the natural ebb and flow of thought, we open ourselves to more peace, clarity, and self-compassion. We stop defining ourselves by what we see in the mirror and begin to reconnect with our true worth—something that was never dependent on appearance.

A New Way Forward

The feeling we live in is not dictated by how we look; it is shaped by our thoughts in the moment. When we see this clearly, we realise that we don’t need to change our bodies to find peace. The peace we’re searching for is already within us, quietly waiting to be recognised.