Many of my friends have been adapting their living spaces during the pandemic to allow them to work from home. First seen as a temporary measure, work from home is becoming a permanent option as companies and employees look forward to the next two years.
It’s not just about working from home but also working out from home. From yoga and high-intensity routines to creatively modifying everyday objects for gym equipment, our homes are segmented into zones for living, working, exercising, gardening, crafting, and oh yes, baking.
My kitchen currently has this poster Keep Calm and Eat a Cupcake (shown above), playing off the old British war slogan Keep Calm and Carry On. Quilting friends have signs on their sewing room doors indicating a variety of moods. This one is my favourite:
So it occurred to me if I was redesigning one of my corners to manage my workout equipment (yoga mat, skipping ropes, stretch bands, yoga bricks etc), what inspiration would I like to see to give me a smile and a positive nudge?
Most of what I found is rather “bro” in focus: Beast Mode; No Excuses; No Pain, No Gain etc. I’m not keen on those that use body shaming, guilt, or alcohol, and if you do find any featuring women, they tend to rely on thin, blond, ultra feminine presenting humans to sell a message (which is okay for those who see themselves there but not for me).
Many are also quite funny in a gentle way like this one, which combines my love of pie and coffee:
However, it doesn’t get to affirming my choice to move consciously and work my body in a challenging way. I thought I would ask you, dear readers, what would you find positive, feminist and inspirational to hang on your walls in your workout space?
MarthaFitat55 lives in St. John’s.
I like the t-shirt my son got me. “I’m going to smash this workout like it’s the patriarchy.”
a woman I follow on instagram has one that says “toner is for printers. I lift” – some badassery in that one!
The other says, “I pretend my workouts are the societal perceptions of gender so I can smash them.”
is “I Love You” too maudlin? That’s a reminder I feel like I sometimes need when I’m feeling self-punishing about a workout. Though I must say, I do like the idea of smashing the patriarchy.