The Becoming Initiative:
The heart of Body Beyond Beauty is the Becoming Journal. Each mini Recovery Kit includes a journal plus tools to personalize it (markers, pens, stickers) and handwritten encouragement notes from volunteers. These kits help teens reflect, recover, and reconnect with their identity beyond appearance, especially in performance-based spaces like dance, gymnastics, cheer, figure skating, and youth athletic programs.
Why It Exists
In aesthetic sports and performance-based spaces, teens are taught to monitor, critique, and control their bodies as part of success.
This constant evaluation can lead to:
- body image distress
- disordered eating
- shame around seeking help
- loss of identity beyond appearance or performance
Research shows that reflective writing and identity-based prompts can reduce emotional distress, lower shame, and support recovery by helping individuals externalize harmful thoughts and reconnect with themselves beyond appearance.
3 Programs
Guided Journaling Program
Contents:
- Becoming Journal with guided prompts
- Markers, colored pencils, and/or pens
- Stickers or small personalization items
- Handwritten encouragement notes
- Kits are assembled by volunteers, personalized, and donated to studios, gyms, and recovery spaces.
- Teens receiving the kits can use the journals independently or in group settings.
Volunteer Role – Journal Assembly Volunteer:
- Assemble kits with all materials
- Add handwritten encouragement notes
- Optional: decorate journals or add supportive messages
Reflection Circle Programs
Safe, guided discussions for teens to reflect on self-worth, body image, and identity beyond performance.
Can be hosted virtually or at studios/community spaces.
Volunteer Role – Reflection Circle Facilitator:
- Help teens share reflections without judgment
- Lead discussions using provided prompts
- Ensure a safe, supportive environment
School and Studio Outreach Program
- Bring BBB directly into dance studios, gymnastics gyms, cheer gyms, figure skating clubs, or local youth athletic programs.
- Can be:
- Mini workshops
- Drop-in journaling stations
- Kit donation + guided activity
- Include a short reflection circle or note-writing activity
- Encourage personalization of journals and peer encouragement
Volunteer/Youth Leader Roles:
- Support workshops and in-person events
- Manage kit assembly and distribution
- Guide teens through journaling activities
Our Next Events
February 28 – in-person Recovery Kit making @ Cooper City Pool and Tennis Center
February 23-March 1: National Eating Disorder Awareness Week
Call to Action
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for professional help. Sharing awareness can save lives — consider sharing this page to spread understanding.
Body Beyond Beauty 