Your Body Is Not an Apology Workbook: Tools for Living Radical Self-Love

by Sonya Renee Taylor

On the heels of the breakaway success of The Body Is Not an Apology comes an action guide to help readers practice the art of radical self-love both for themselves and to transform our society.

Readers of The Body Is Not an Apology have been clamoring for guidance on how to do the work of radical self-love. After crowdsourcing her community, Sonya Renee Taylor found her readers wanted more concrete ideas on how to apply this work in a larger social and structural context. Your Body Is Not an Apology is the action guide that gives them just that--tools and structured frameworks they can apply immediately to start changing the world. Taylor guides readers with concrete ideas and, as always, practical applications that move us beyond theory and into doing and being radical self-love change agents in the world. This workbook, along with the new edition of the book, will put people in action in their organizations, in politics, in their doctor's offices, and at their jobs.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Health, Bodies, Personal Development, Feminism

176 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2020

About the author

Sonya Renee Taylor is the Founder and Radical Executive Officer of The Body is Not An Apology, a digital media and education company promoting radical self-love and body empowerment as the foundational tool for social justice and global transformation. Sonya's work as a highly sought-after award-winning Performance Poet, activist, and transformational leader continues to have global reach. Sonya is a former National and International poetry slam champion, author of two books, including The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love (Berrett-Koehler Feb 2018), educator and thought leader who has enlightened and inspired organizations, audiences and individuals from board rooms to prisons, universities to homeless shelters, elementary schools to some of the biggest stages in the world.

Believing in the power of art is a vehicle for social change, Sonya has been widely recognized for her work as a change agent. She was named one of Planned Parenthood's 99 Dream Keepers in 2015 as well as a Planned Parenthood Generation Action's 2015 Outstanding Partner awardee. Bustle Magazine named her one of the 12 Women Who Paved the Way for Body Positivity and in September 2015, she was honored as a YBCA 100, an annual compilation of creative minds, makers, and pioneers who are asking the questions and making the provocations that will shape the future of American culture; an honor she shared alongside author Ta'Nahesi Coates, artist Kara Walker, filmmaker Ava Duvernay and many more. In 2016, she was named a Champion of Women's Health by Planned Parenthood and commissioned to write the official poem for Planned Parenthood's 100-year centennial celebration. In the same year, Sonya was also invited to the Obama White House to speak at their forum on the intersection of LGBTQIAA and Disability issues. In 2017, Sonya was awarded the Quixote Foundation's “Thank You Note, a $25,000 award for leaders and artists working in the field of reproductive justice. In the fall of 2017, Sonya was named one of 28 global changemakers selected into the inaugural cohort of the Edmund Hilary Fellowship, a 3-year international fellowship of world-leading entrepreneurs and investors, innovating purpose-driven global impact projects from New Zealand.

Sonya's work has been seen, heard, and read on HBO, BET, MTV, TV One, NPR, PBS, CNN, Oxygen Network, The New York Times, New York Magazine, MSNBC.com, Today.com, Huffington Post, USA Today, Vogue Australia, Shape.com, Ms. Magazine and many more. She is a regular collaborator and artist with organizations such as Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Advocates for Youth 1in3 Campaign, Association for Size Diversity and Health, Binge Eating Disorders Association (BEDA), Greater than AIDS Campaign, Yerba Buena Cultural Art Center and numerous others.

With a B.A. in Sociology and an M.S.A. in Organizational Management, Sonya continues to use her work to disrupt systems of inequity from an intersectional, radical self-love and global justice framework. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Split This Rock, an organization calling poets to a greater role in public life and fostering a national network of socially engaged poets. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for SisterSong, a pioneering Women of Color reproductive justice collective. Sonya continues to be engaged in issues of racial justice, police brutality, mental health, reproductive rights and justice and much more.

In 2011, Sonya founded The Body is Not An Apology, as an online community to cultivate radical self-love and body empowerment. TBINAA quickly became a movement and leading framework for the budding body positivity movement. In 2015, The Body is Not An Apology developed a digital magazine, education and community building platform to connect global issues of radical self-love and intersectional social justice. Today, TBINAA is a digital media enterprise reaching nearly 1 million people per m

Reviews

[Sarah Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not long after reading Your Body is Not an Apology, I went away on a Mum's Weekend with 7 friends. We ended up having a few drinks (as you do) and proceeded to head on out to a nightclub full of people 20 -30 years younger than us. We befriended a group of the loveliest young women and they bought us more drinks and we danced and laughed and had a great time. During this time, I also told every single person I came across about the book. I spoke about being worried about the shape and size of my body for probably 33 of my 45 years, and how it is just not worth it. How we are brainwashed into believing that thinner is better and more successful, and what an amazing job the media have done of this. When you stop and think about it, or it is bought to your attention, it is absolutely everywhere you turn. I imparted my dunken wisdom on these poor young women and whilst it was all in good fun - I do hope that some of it sank in. It's actually heartbreaking to think about it.

Anyway, long story short, the original book and then also this workbook, just helped to show me how prevalent this issue is and how out of control it had gotten over the last 40 years or so. The workbook reinforced the learnings from the book. I loved it and as I said, I have told numerous people about it and will continue to do so.

[Gillian]

I listened to the audiobook of Your Body is Not an Apology just over a month ago, so reading this workbook soon after was perfect. As a chubby nonbinary lesbian who has always struggled with my self esteem, sense of identity and belonging, and body issues, this book meant so much to me. I would love to re-read the two together in tandem now to get the full experience.

Taylor has such an immersive form of writing that makes you both understand incredibly difficult topics, and feel understood in very personal ways. This is not just your average self help book, nor does it only focus on mainstream forms of body positivity. This workbook, and the original book that it accompanies, allows readers to think critically about the world around them, about institutions and systemic oppression, in ways that are radical and full of self-love.

Each section of this book is the perfect complement to Your Body is Not an Apology, however this workbook can be used independently. It includes reflective journaling activities, colouring sheets, questions, advice and many other exercises to guide you on the road to radical self-love. This is the kind of book and workbook that you want every single person in your life to have.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This can be difficult to read. Sonya Taylor doesn't beat around the bush and gets straight to what you or members of your family and/or friends are friends fighting with. It's taken me a while to finish this book due to my own fight with my weight.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. I appreciate a lot about this book: it covers a wide range of interconnecting themes, it is written in a trauma-informed way (with, for instance, specific attention to ways that survivors can take care of themselves while exploring being present in our bodies), and Taylor's tone is encouraging and familiar and friendly (books like this that are addressed directly to the reader often read as a bit condescending to me, but this one definitely doesn't). Inevitably some sections will be more relevant to each reader than others (I don't really use social media, so a day without it isn't the revolutionary activity for me that requires reflection on how I feel about it). I wouldn't say that the content is groundbreaking right now, but I find Taylor's concepts and explanations useful and her connections between self and community valuable, and there were a few activities I found quite impactful and really appreciated.

I do think that ultimately I got more out of the book itself than I did this accompanying workbook, so if I had to suggest one of the two, I'd suggest the book over this.

Content warnings: this workbook invites the reader to consider a lot of challenging topics - body image, trauma, health, internalized oppressions. I have no 'content warnings' per se but the work this book asks the reader to do will absolutely bring up some things if done thoroughly.

[ᛚᚨᚱᚲᚨ × ᚠᛖᚾᚱᛁᚱ (Semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love just is.
We just are love.

Great addition to the main work The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love. The explanatory parts repeat almost verbatim the one of the forementioned book, but a refresh it's always welcome, especially since it's short and the book is about exercises to put the concepts into practice.

Use this pages to try on new ideas, challenge faulty beliefs, and forge new pathways guided by a radical transformative love.

To treat our bodies like cars is to essentially treat ourselves like something disposable.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This workbook is an EXCELLENT resource to help people achieve their self-love goals. There are questions to deep dive our beliefs and our memories, tools for helping us to write new stories and personal mantras, and even space to doodle and get creative. I admit, the doodling and creativity part was harder than answering the questions, which is exactly why I need the doodling and creative parts! Thank you Sonya for making me think outside my box, outside my norms.

I read the book Sonya wrote that companions with this workbook and absolutely loved it, reading it twice, however you do not need to read the book in order to get the full benefit of this workbook. It can be read and used as a stand alone workbook/learning tool, or in companion with her amazing book. I know I will be reviewing the questions in this workbook from time to time as my self-love journey is one that I know will be achieved through daily commitment and work. Ultimately we have to choose to see others - all bodies - with love and compassion and grace, but we will never get there unless we choose to do the inner work and first love ourselves.

Thank you, Sonya, for sharing your light and work with the world!

[Angelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for an honest review. What a great workbook! This was sassy and honest but most of all - brilliant.. This workbook is based on the "Your Body Is Not an Apology" book. While it's recommended to have read the previous book, this workbook stands on it's own. It guides the reader to look at the whole picture and how society/media gives you messages about your body every day. It challenges you to REALLY explore the ways this has impacted you personally. I started making notes of some of the awesome things she said as well as doing the activities. It was heartfelt, logical and empathetic. I highly recommend it.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this interactive workbook. I think it's challenging to write about topics like this, but very important. Probably would've given it 4 stars, there was just some random parts towards the end that weren't super impactful and I didn't enjoy much. All in all, helpful workbook to promote positivity in your own body!

"On the days we feel most deficient, the most chased down by shame, what is being called forth from us is more love- not because we earned it but because we never had to. To give grace to oneself is to move beyond words like worthy and deserving, terms that imply qualification and quantity."

[Madelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% would recommend.

As a woman who has struggled with self-love, body positivity, and self-kindness my entire life this book was like a lifeboat. It is the perfect balance between book + workbook. The workbook part is tough. The questions really make you think and do a lot of "shadow work". It's beautiful, a little painful but so worth it. The artwork is beautiful and diverse as well as the work you do. I intend to purchase this book for my younger sister. Radical self-love is what we all deserve. Don't hesitate, read it!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent companion to the book for those who find journaling a helpful tool for navigating personal discovery and growth.

[Paris Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC

This should honestly be distributed to EVERYONE! Working through this book truly made me realise so many things I hadn't thought about. Even as someone studying both psychology and sociology, this book still educated me in the media. I'm not one for non-fiction books, and I'm not too sure what called me to this book in particular but I'm so glad I did. More needs to be said and shared about these topics. While people are still suffering and feeling alone, this promotion will never be enough. I always thought I had come a long way from being self conscious, but this book just helped me realise that some things indoctrinated in me as a child remain. It used an example that really stuck with me because of how much I hear it on the daily; the whole "I look fat in this" "no you don't you look great. I'd look so much worse". Not only have we began to use normal body types and features as insults, but we as a society can't help but try to out-do others, even for negative reasons. The author of this book is such a blessing, and I am so in love with everything they have written here- having this as a workbook is such an innovative and admirable idea

I'd really like to buy this book physically in order to have my own written responses fully completed within it eventually.

[cherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Please don't misunderstand, there is nothing in this book that I disagree with. And for the most part, all the sentiments are well-written, and presented in an engaging way.

So. Why the low rating?

Personally, I was recommended this book by my Registered Dietician, who I'm working with to continue the process of recovering from an ED in my teenage years. She told me that this is kind of the new "bible" for self-love and self-acceptance and reframing the way that women think about their bodies. So, I went in, hoping that it would at least give me the tools to do some of that.

It did not.

Instead, what it gave me, was paragraphs of self-gratuitous expose on the author's own journey, and while that's totally fine, it was also interspersed with Wikipedia-esque lists of facts that, while astonishing if true, don't do much to actually educate you on the subjects they try to "hit home" about.

There's also a distinct lack of acknowledging possible counter-arguments. And maybe this is just left over from my years of being a literature major, but MOST good essays at least attempt to pre-empt the naysayers and provide more evidence to the contrary. They take care to qualify their claims and the sources they cite, so that diligent readers might take the time to do their own research. This book glosses over the issues with the HAES (Health At Every Size) movement, and provides very little context for the huge amount of discourse that's gone on around it since the movement's inception in the 90's.

It also pushes "Intuitive Eating" without addressing the possible issues this approach might have for people who are emotional binge eater/restrictors.

And, towards the end of the book, the author seems to make it plenty clear that the ONLY way to engage in TRUE radical self love was to become an active, vocal proponent of the movement itself. So that by the time I got to the end of the book, I felt like what I'd read was a very long-winded propaganda pamphlet, urging you to GO VOTE or UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU to DONATE TO GOVERNMENT BONDS. But instead here, we're being told to go forth in to the world and loudly, vehemently try to educate those who would dare to disagree with the sentiments put forth in this book.

Perhaps I shouldn't have gone into reading this with certain expectations, but I found myself feeling strangely "lonely" after finishing this book, wondering to myself, "Am I just going to be stuck hating my body forever if I don't go out and do everything this book says? Is there no personal, internal work that I can do to achieve this 'radical self-love' that the author seems to think is THE answer?"

And yes, it sounds ridiculous when you take a step back because healing and recovery is ALWAYS a personal journey. IT ALWAYS has to take place internally. So to insinuate that you have to go do certain things as part of this movement in order to achieve true radical self-love is... questionable, to say the least.

Now, I'm not saying that you can't gleam good, powerful, even transformative information from this book -- you absolutely can. It's just that most of the information provided is not new information. It's not even all that differently contextualized. If you grew up in a society, ANY society, that has the internet, you'll have come into contact with most, if not all, of the sentiments in this book. They're just presented in a slightly more slam-poetic way.

If that's your tea, then amazing!

But if it's not, it's susceptible to coming off as didactic and even downright condescending at times.

All in all, even though it wasn't a bad book, per se, I would say it was a bad "match" for me. I found myself more aggravated than enlightened, and it made me question all the progress that I'd already made in my own recovery journey.

[Jesse Lynn Smart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I made my main point about how amazing this work is in my review of the actual book. I will go further and say that Sonya Renee Taylor has provided us with a powerful tool to begin doing the work to dismantle systems of racism/ableism/fatphobia/transphobia/homophobia/ageism and so on. The humour she expressed in the book carries on through the workbook. If you felt moved to do better by the incredible book, this workbook is an essential companion.

[Lyzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Your Body is Not an Apology Workbook: Tools for Living Radical Self-Love
Author: Sonya Renee Taylor
Genre: Self-Help
Pages: 176

Your Body is Not an Apology Workbook is an action guide to help readers practice the art of radical self-love both for themselves and to transform our society. Brief overviews are provided at the beginning of each exercise about the rationale for the exercise making this workbook approachable for those who have/have not read The Body is Not an Apology.

One of the reflection activities that stood out to me was to take a 12-hour media break and see how you feel. It sounds terrifying to me to be disconnected for that long but on the other hand, a diet of body-shaming rich media perpetuates this deep sense of shame many of us carry. Another one was to recreate your body’s narrative and develop a mantra.

I did not complete the activities as this was a digital ARC, but I read the action guide through completely. I’ve added this to my wish list and plan to complete it over time and help improve my relationship with my body.

Radical self-love is a concept that we hear a lot about, but no concrete examples are provided. It sounds great in principle – but how do you make it happen? This workbook is a well-developed action guide to help you implement radical self-love. I would recommend this workbook for anyone who wants to work on their relationship with their body and especially for fans of Sonya Renee Taylor and her writings.

ARC provided to me by Berrett-Koehler Publishers, in exchange for an honest review.

[JKC · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a lot of books to suit a lot of different types of people when it comes to being comfortable with our bodies, body shaming, societal expectations, etc. I read this one for a bit and found it well meaning and intersting - and at times it hit home - however, I often felt as if statistics were used or misused to forward the particular belief of the author. For instance, the author quoted a statistic that (I believe it was) around 70% of millenials think the world would be happier if we stopped paying attention to race. This was an unpopular majority for the author who nevertheless decided that 70% of millenials are wrong (I'm having a hard time doing the same) and we should pay attention to race to make the world a better place. Obvi, there are people on both sides of this argument - and many of the arguments here you have heard (such as the allegedly erroneous use of saying "I don't see color."). The author is on the side of difference, which I'm all for celebrating; however I do maintain that in some ways (NOT ALL!) we are in fact all the same. My biggest hope, though, is that the much-needed call for less body shaming, less encouraging inesecurity, less trauma, will be heeded. DNF.

Oh and I didn't read the workbook. I read the actual book but the workbook keeps coming up at the top of my search for the book.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely a little different from the books that I regularly read as it is a workbook. It has a lot of thought put into it and the reader definitely has to put thought into the questions and tasks that the author has put in. The book has a lot of questions and ideas and topics that are hard to think about in regards to our bodies and the ideas that we have about them. This is not a book that someone can just fly through reading and scratching stuff down when needed, this is a book that takes a lot of work and a lot of soul searching and internal digging to get through.

In a physical copy, the book would be an amazing book to do. It is designed to be worked on alone, but it would also be a great book to work on with a friend or even a small group. The only negative would be the format that I read this book in as I was not able to have a physical copy, but it is worth it to read in any format available.

I don't really know how to explain this book. It really is a book that you have to accept is going to be hard and may be mentally exhausting to work through, but it is going to be worth it in the end.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should use this workbook! It should be given out in high schools and counselor's offices! For far too long we have been believing something is wrong with us if we don't look a certain way. It has to stop and the way to stop it is to teach radical self-love and this workbook shows us how to engage in radical self-love. The activities are interspersed with useful information and fun illustrations. While some of the activities require us to dig deep down and get in touch with our past and our emotions, they have easy to follow instructions and great examples. This book made me cry, made me smile, and made me nod my head in agreement. I will be putting much of what I learned from this workbook into practice. My new mantra thanks to this workbook is - "I love myself always!"

Thank you to Sonya Renee Taylor, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, and Edelweiss for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this workbook! Not only are the illustrations beautiful and so amazingly body-positive, but it's extremely helpful. I love the fact that I can pick up this book and actually do something productive, an excercise that feels as though I'm doing something constructive.

The phrase "body terrorism" really resonated for me and is something I'm going to be exploring further. we live in a world that is quite the opposite of the voice I hear when I read this book. It's refreshing and I learned a great deal. Media is everywhere and this book really highlighted for me how prevalent it was in my life. I knew it on one level but this book asked me some pointed questions that had me really taking a look at what media I consume.

Something I will definitely be incorporating into my daily life was the "character traits to complement" section! What a remarkably easy yet significant thing to do!

Thanks for this! Anyone would benefit from making their way through this workbook! Bravo!

[Roselia Ekhause · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the book , what I love the most were all the personal actions that are suggested to rid the world...
such as Avoid fat phobia
Avoid body shaming, invite others to do the same
Body terrorism / take action, read listen, bout (privilege thing bodies)
Interrupt ableism language , challenge
Practice identify access needs of others.
Interrupt the able body and ask your community to do the same
Embrace shame free enquire
Don't make assumptions , do I follow or read content created by fat people?
Push those systems aside

We give people what they need..
Question the benefits you get
White identity as a default / accumulation of power
Interrupt
white fragility defenseless. It is not the work of people of color to describe they experience, explore you role in the system.
Panther party
Confront body oppression , eradicate body terrorism , uplift the lives of those outside of the default
dismantle body hierarchy

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I haven't read the book, but after reading several books alongside the workbooks I've realized they can sometimes get redundant. So keep that in mind, I didn't read the book.

This workbook was poorly designed in terms of how the reader would engage with it. This is best illustrated in the most confusing method of doing Mad Libs that has ever been done. It involves writing the same four words over and over and then plugging things in based on individual numbers, even though it was the same word, over and over. It just took so much more work than necessary. Everything in the book was done a little oddly, and it caused me to just use the space to journal about my thoughts. There were several nice little exercises I will take with me through. And I fully agree with the premise of the book, with radical self-love. Just workbook needs some work.

[Samantha Puc · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love, author Sonya Renee Taylor lays the foundations for living radical self-love in everyday life, but in Your Body Is Not an Apology Workbook, she provides readers with the tools to change their thinking and approach their bodies and lives through this framework. The activities in this workbook range from short-term to long-term, and some will come easier than others.

For my full review, click here.

[Alyssa Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great workbook! I will highly recommend to my clients. It's so important to look at the whole picture and how society/media gives you messages about your body every day. I think a lot of us "know'" this, but this workbook challenges you to REALLY explore the ways this has impacted you personally. Fantastic!

[Marsena (Mars) Holsopple · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't write reviews, but this was the most profoundly engaging and challenging book that will invite you to revisit pages time and again. I wish I were a better writer to sing so the praises I have for this book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is helpful for those who have a low self-esteem and issues with their body. There are questions to answer and work to do to help you improve your self-image every day. I think the author really cares about the people who are reading the book.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice supplement to the original book, The Body Is Not an Apology. I did not actively do the exercises mentioned in the book, but marked a few to bring to some of my clients who struggle with loving themselves and their bodies. Would recommend if you read The Body Is Not an Apology and would like to dive deeper into the work of radical self-love.

[MA Perelló · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quadern pràctic relacionat amb l'assaig del mateix títol i autoria. Hi ha exerxicis interessants i reflexions a destacar, però a mi el concepte en sí i sobre el qual voltetja tot no m'agrada. Les paraules importen i a mi no m'acaba de fer.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a nutrition support group, and I cannot recommend it enough. As a registered dietitian, this will be so helpful for guiding clients through their self love journeys. And also helpful for me on a personal. Highly recommend!

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect companion to the book Your Body Is Not an Apology. Explanations and exercises are well explained and easy to follow.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Workbook is a good tool if you nned further incentive to follow along with the book. Well written, easy to follow, helpful information.