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Stop the Holiday Cookie Shame

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Jessie List Student Contributor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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IUP Contributor Student Contributor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at IUP chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

 

In all of the chaos and catastrophe of our daily lives, we often forget to stop and appreciate the little, beautiful things that make living enjoyable.

Most of us have family and friends who love and support us in all that we do. A cozy, comfortable home awaits us after a long day of work or class. There is food in our pantries and cabinets.

The holidays are a time to look at all that we have in our lives and show gratitude, because in reality, there is a lot for which we should be thankful. That’s why this holiday season, I am challenging you to simply enjoy yourself and the company of your loved ones instead of stressing about all of the holiday candy and cookies you ate.

Of course, this will be easier said than done. We live in a society that places outer appearance on the highest pedestal. Tabloids bash celebrities for being too big and criticize them for looking too thin, and just about every other commercial features models that look impossibly perfect. If these advertisements of people with perfect bodies are constantly surrounding us, of course we are going to look at them as normal and desirable appearances.

The reality is not everybody is supposed to look like that. We were born with the bodies we have. They are healthy, they are strong, they are wonderfully unique, and they deserve some holiday desserts!

While it is okay to want to be health conscious during the holidays – I mean, I am not advocating for eating so many slice n bake cookies that you feel sick to your stomach – do not let the pressure to be a certain size or fit into a particular pair of jeans stop you from enjoying yourself. One of the best parts about the holidays is gathering around a dining room table with the ones you love most and sharing a delicious home cooked meal. So go ahead and eat another sugar cookie in the shape of Santa Claus, or a slice of grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie.

This holiday season, show love to your family, friends, and body.

Happy holidays to all, and to all a good bite! 

I am a student at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with two strong passions: education and travel. I plan to combine the two by teaching English abroad after I receive my degree in English education and Spanish education. But for now, I am enjoying my time at IUP and life in general! I feel that a day in which I didn't express myself is a day wasted. I love to develop my music taste by DJing for IUP's radio station. I also really enjoy cooking and adding my own twist to recipes - I hope to make a vegetarian cookbook someday! Finally, I have always had a love for writing, which is how I got involved with Her Campus in the first place. I started as a contributing writer, and now I am a campus correspondent for IUP's chapter of Her Campus. I look forward to working with all of the other students who belong to this great organization and cannot wait to see what will happen when all of our creativity and ideas mix together!