Written by Keith Russell

Why I’m Struggling with Body Image This Easter

I’ve been finding things a bit harder lately, if I’m being honest. I posted about this on my Instagram page recently.

My body image hasn’t been great. The negative thoughts have been louder than usual, more persistent, more intrusive. You know the kind, the ones that pick apart how you look, how you feel, how you think you should be.

And with Easter coming up, I can feel that quiet anxiety building in the background.

Because Easter, for a lot of us, means one thing: chocolate. Lots of it. Everywhere.

And while that might seem small to some people, when you’re already struggling with your body image, it doesn’t feel small at all.

When Stress and Body Image Collide

Something I’ve been reflecting on recently is how much stress impacts body image. Ive written a blog on the specific topic in the past which you can read back here.

When life feels overwhelming, uncertain, or heavy, my mind seems to look for something it can control. And more often than not, it lands on my body.

It becomes easier to criticise how I look than to sit with how I feel.

Stress doesn’t just stay in one lane, it seeps into everything. It affects how we think, how we see ourselves, and how we treat ourselves. And when you mix that with a time like Easter, where food becomes more visible and harder to avoid, it can feel like a lot. Just seeing food can be triggering.

The Chocolate Thing (Let’s Just Be Honest About It)

I’ve been feeling anxious about being around so much chocolate this Easter.

There’s a part of me that already feels guilty, even before anything has happened. A part that’s trying to plan, control, avoid. A part that says, “You need to be careful” or “Don’t overdo it.”

And if I’m honest, that voice is exhausting.

Because it takes something that should be simple, or even enjoyable, and turns it into something stressful.

What I’m Trying to Do Differently

I don’t have this figured out right now. I had thought I was managing things much better but recovery from anything isn’t linear and there will always being ups and downs.

But there are a few things I’m gently trying to remind myself of:

1. One weekend doesn’t define me
Even if I eat more chocolate than usual, it doesn’t change my worth. It doesn’t undo anything. It doesn’t define who I am.

2. Food is not the enemy
Chocolate isn’t the problem. The guilt and fear around it, that’s the hard part.

3. My body is not something to “fix” this weekend
I don’t need to compensate, restrict, or punish myself. That cycle only makes things worse.

4. It’s okay to feel conflicted
I can feel anxious and still try to be kind to myself. Both can exist at the same time.

Letting Go of “Perfect”

I think a big part of this is letting go of the idea that I need to handle Easter “perfectly.”

No guilt. No overthinking. No anxiety. That’s not realistic, at least not for me right now. Instead, I’m aiming for something softer:

Being aware of my thoughts, without letting them completely take over.
Giving myself permission to enjoy things, without attaching shame to it.
And most importantly, not being too hard on myself if I struggle.

If You’re Feeling This Too

If Easter feels a bit overwhelming for you, you’re not alone in that.

It might look like a light, fun holiday from the outside, but for anyone dealing with body image or food-related stress, it can bring up a lot.

• You don’t have to handle it perfectly.
• You don’t have to silence every negative thought.
• You don’t have to earn your food.

Just getting through it while being a little kinder to yourself, that’s enough.

Final Thoughts

I’m still working through this. Still catching myself when my thoughts spiral. Still trying to respond with something a bit more compassionate.

Some days are easier than others. But if there’s one thing I’m holding onto this Easter, it’s this: I don’t want to miss moments of my life because I’m too busy worrying about my body. And maybe that’s a small place to start.

If you are struggling this Easter or any other time with body image and/or with disordered please get in touch with BodyWhys HERE

Follow Keith on Social Media

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Spotify
• Patreon