I love my underbelly. I do. I know I have one, and there is something about that word that makes me love having one. You see, my underbelly are those things I’m not so proud of. Those moments in life when I don’t treat someone very well, judge someone, those moments when I fall into an addictive pattern, I numb out, I don’t care for myself. I have an underbelly.

My metaphorical underbelly loves me too. We work together. In yoga, I flip my dog, and shine a little light on my underbelly. I practice bridge, full wheel, and there is nothing not exposed. I even love my underbelly with an abs workout, I support my underbelly getting strong and toned. We are in it together.

And hear is what happens, when I shine a light on the consciousness of my underbelly, I am reminded of where I need to make it right with someone or where I need to pay attention to an unhealthy pattern. I’m reminded of where I may take someone for granted, where I don’t appreciate someone, where I treat someone poorly, where I hurt someone, where I don’t honor someone’s genius, where I speak poorly about someone. I am reminded of unhealthy patterns like leaning on my friend or sister to complain about something, where I numb out on Instagram reels, where I may get snarky to prove a point. We all have these underbelly moments in life. We are human. Here’s what I do.

I give myself grace for having an underbelly. Then, I take accountability to do my best to make it right. To apologize, to acknowledge, to learn and grow about how my behaviors may impact someone. I do my best to wake up to my unhealthy patterns. So, I’ll write a note, I’ll find someone I’ve lost touch with, I’ll do my best to make it right. Or I’ll write on my weekly focus, the underbelly pattern I want to be conscious of this week. For example, if I know I have an underbelly of being triggered by someone, I’m going to practice darn hard that week to be present when I’m with them. I do my best to take accountability to shine a light on that underbelly, and take a look at it. If I’m not ready to outwardly make my underbelly right, I commit to my yoga and strength practices to help it transform in my consciousness. I’m not perfect at this, my underbelly has a lot of wisdom for me.

This week, lift that metaphorical shirt up a little, take a peek, anything hiding out in your underbelly? Flip your dog, practice bridge, go into full wheel, love your crunches. We can do this people. Let’s love our underbelly’s, they can be some of life’s most important, rich, rewarding, satisfying, filled with love and grace kind of moments.

I’m with you.

In love of the underbelly,

Jill