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The Invisible Corset: Break Free from Beauty Culture and Embrace Your Radiant Self
Learn to love your body―for real this time
Women in touch with the wisdom of their bodies are the single greatest threat to societal systems of domination, oppression, and control. We are also the greatest possibility to bring healing, peace, and restoration to our world. ―Lauren Geertsen
No matter how much we try to tell ourselves to love our bodies and accept our flaws, most women can’t quite get there. Even though we know the beauty standard is unrealistic, we secretly feel like it would be so much easier if our stomach were just a little flatter, or our skin a little smoother, or a million other little things. As a result, we sacrifice our health, heritage, sanity, and lives on the altar of beauty culture. Why is it so hard to feel confident about our bodies, or even just accept them?
Because willpower alone isn’t enough to undo generations of brainwashing intended to repress women’s confidence and power. In The Invisible Corset , Geertsen carefully illustrates the psychological gaslighting that leads women to internalize the belief that their appearance makes them not only unworthy of love, but incapable of fulfilling their actual destiny. By highlighting each restricting string of the invisible corset all women wear, Geertsen helps us reclaim our bodies for ourselves, discovering newfound confidence, power, joy, and pleasure as we do. You’ll
• How the invisible corset cuts you off from your body’s wisdom and nature’s intelligence―the true sources of your intuition, pleasure, and power
• How beauty culture is the most recent form of patriarchal oppression ― and why women are both responsible and able to free ourselves
• Why the body positivity movement often makes self-criticism even worse
• The racist history of beauty culture, and how it still perpetuates racism today
• Journaling prompts, rituals, meditations, and other exercises to help unravel the toxic beliefs that keep the invisible corset in place
• A variety of practices to help you reconnect with your body―to tune into your intuition, set healthy boundaries, align with your True Self, and more
For any woman who is ready to go from struggle, discomfort, control, and shame to pleasure, confidence, freedom, and soul-fulfilling purpose, The Invisible Corset is an essential guide.
Women in touch with the wisdom of their bodies are the single greatest threat to societal systems of domination, oppression, and control. We are also the greatest possibility to bring healing, peace, and restoration to our world. ―Lauren Geertsen
No matter how much we try to tell ourselves to love our bodies and accept our flaws, most women can’t quite get there. Even though we know the beauty standard is unrealistic, we secretly feel like it would be so much easier if our stomach were just a little flatter, or our skin a little smoother, or a million other little things. As a result, we sacrifice our health, heritage, sanity, and lives on the altar of beauty culture. Why is it so hard to feel confident about our bodies, or even just accept them?
Because willpower alone isn’t enough to undo generations of brainwashing intended to repress women’s confidence and power. In The Invisible Corset , Geertsen carefully illustrates the psychological gaslighting that leads women to internalize the belief that their appearance makes them not only unworthy of love, but incapable of fulfilling their actual destiny. By highlighting each restricting string of the invisible corset all women wear, Geertsen helps us reclaim our bodies for ourselves, discovering newfound confidence, power, joy, and pleasure as we do. You’ll
• How the invisible corset cuts you off from your body’s wisdom and nature’s intelligence―the true sources of your intuition, pleasure, and power
• How beauty culture is the most recent form of patriarchal oppression ― and why women are both responsible and able to free ourselves
• Why the body positivity movement often makes self-criticism even worse
• The racist history of beauty culture, and how it still perpetuates racism today
• Journaling prompts, rituals, meditations, and other exercises to help unravel the toxic beliefs that keep the invisible corset in place
• A variety of practices to help you reconnect with your body―to tune into your intuition, set healthy boundaries, align with your True Self, and more
For any woman who is ready to go from struggle, discomfort, control, and shame to pleasure, confidence, freedom, and soul-fulfilling purpose, The Invisible Corset is an essential guide.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published January 19, 2021
40 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 19, 2023
I've always struggled with my body. I think every woman has. I've been thin, I've been athletic, I've been curvy, I've been fat. Guess what - I hated the way I looked no matter what I looked like.
but to be honest... that's starting to change. and it's a huge relief.
I loved this book. I didn't agree with all of it, and there were parts I thought were pushing the boundaries of relatable comparison, but as a whole, it has impressed me. It calls out the toxic, abusive nature of the beauty industry, the CULTure we are coerced into, the brainwashing and manipulation we endure that separates us from our bodies and drives us to self-hate, self-harm, and self-sabotage.
why would anyone take a knife to their skin? Why would anyone starve themselves? of course you will, if you are constantly being bombarded with the lies of "you are not existing properly." "You are not enough, and never will be, but you have to try, or you are worthless."
I encourage every woman to read this book.
A few of my favorite sections:
"The fact that our cultural mistreatment of our bodies requires us to see them as machines rather than beings is no accident. It is far too lucrative for the beauty, diet, fitness, and medical industries to be a fluke. It is also far too effective a method of female oppression to be accidental."
"When we're dominating our bodies, we can't let the love in. We can't let our bodies take care of us. We refuse to rest, play, relax, and experience joy in our bodies because we are so busy trying to control them. Love is, inherently, a loss of control."
"The beauty industry is a psychological abuser of global proportions. Because this abuse scars our m9inds rather than our bodies, it goes largely unrecognized. But psychological abuse bruises the psyche just like a fist bruises flesh, and emotional pain engages the same part of the brain as physical pain. Still, we turn to makeup to give us confidence, we adhere to diet rituals to feel worthy, and we undergo plastic surgery to feel sexy and desirable. We seek from our abuser the very thing it intentionally stripped from us: a fundamental sense of adequacy as women and as human beings. We give this industry the power to build us up, and by extension, we give it the power to tear us down."
"By living according to culture's definition of success, I was harming the most significant relationship of my life - the relationship with my body. I had, in fact, turned my body into a trophy wife. She was an object for me to use, someone to visibly prove my status, someone who existed only to serve my ego rather than inspire my spiritual growth."
but to be honest... that's starting to change. and it's a huge relief.
I loved this book. I didn't agree with all of it, and there were parts I thought were pushing the boundaries of relatable comparison, but as a whole, it has impressed me. It calls out the toxic, abusive nature of the beauty industry, the CULTure we are coerced into, the brainwashing and manipulation we endure that separates us from our bodies and drives us to self-hate, self-harm, and self-sabotage.
why would anyone take a knife to their skin? Why would anyone starve themselves? of course you will, if you are constantly being bombarded with the lies of "you are not existing properly." "You are not enough, and never will be, but you have to try, or you are worthless."
I encourage every woman to read this book.
A few of my favorite sections:
"The fact that our cultural mistreatment of our bodies requires us to see them as machines rather than beings is no accident. It is far too lucrative for the beauty, diet, fitness, and medical industries to be a fluke. It is also far too effective a method of female oppression to be accidental."
"When we're dominating our bodies, we can't let the love in. We can't let our bodies take care of us. We refuse to rest, play, relax, and experience joy in our bodies because we are so busy trying to control them. Love is, inherently, a loss of control."
"The beauty industry is a psychological abuser of global proportions. Because this abuse scars our m9inds rather than our bodies, it goes largely unrecognized. But psychological abuse bruises the psyche just like a fist bruises flesh, and emotional pain engages the same part of the brain as physical pain. Still, we turn to makeup to give us confidence, we adhere to diet rituals to feel worthy, and we undergo plastic surgery to feel sexy and desirable. We seek from our abuser the very thing it intentionally stripped from us: a fundamental sense of adequacy as women and as human beings. We give this industry the power to build us up, and by extension, we give it the power to tear us down."
"By living according to culture's definition of success, I was harming the most significant relationship of my life - the relationship with my body. I had, in fact, turned my body into a trophy wife. She was an object for me to use, someone to visibly prove my status, someone who existed only to serve my ego rather than inspire my spiritual growth."
March 24, 2021
As a busy mom of young children, most of my time isn't my own, but I MADE time to read this book. It was my self care for two months as I slowly digested its words and engaged in its exercises. When I finished, I told my husband, "This is probably one of the best books I've ever read"--and I do NOT exaggerate.
Feeling the pressure to "lose all the baby weight" after my last pregnancy, I started an exercise program and followed it religiously for nine weeks. When I earned no numeral or visual progress after that period, I thought my diet was to blame, but I had ZERO motivation to count macros, calories and measure my food. I beat myself up for not dedicating myself enough to the program, but then I realized this program wasn’t going to help me. I needed DE-programming.
I’ve been a follower of Lauren’s work for years, and when I learned about the intent of her latest project, The Invisible Corset, I knew that’s what my body needed in its supposedly broken postpartum state.
Written in a conversational/relatable tone and in formal essay style, The Invisible Corset is organized well and easy to follow. Lauren gives anecdotes of her personal healing journey and experience as a Body Connection Coach as well as knowledge from experts in anthropology, history, psychology, religion, and sociology.
There were moments during reading that I cried for the ephipanies of my heart; moments that I felt enraged at the revelations of our broken culture; and moments I felt both satiated and thirsty to learn more. Lauren appropriately rips aparts several flawed paradigms of our time, so reading The Invisible Corset requires an open mind to hear the weaving of wisdom and an open heart to put that wisdom to action.
Single women, married women, mothers, young women, women of every race--and even men need to read this book. The world needs to read this book. For "the invisible corset cuts you off from your True Self, your power, and your joy. Self-love is unbinding yourself...because the world needs your True Self, your power, and your joy" (197).
Feeling the pressure to "lose all the baby weight" after my last pregnancy, I started an exercise program and followed it religiously for nine weeks. When I earned no numeral or visual progress after that period, I thought my diet was to blame, but I had ZERO motivation to count macros, calories and measure my food. I beat myself up for not dedicating myself enough to the program, but then I realized this program wasn’t going to help me. I needed DE-programming.
I’ve been a follower of Lauren’s work for years, and when I learned about the intent of her latest project, The Invisible Corset, I knew that’s what my body needed in its supposedly broken postpartum state.
Written in a conversational/relatable tone and in formal essay style, The Invisible Corset is organized well and easy to follow. Lauren gives anecdotes of her personal healing journey and experience as a Body Connection Coach as well as knowledge from experts in anthropology, history, psychology, religion, and sociology.
There were moments during reading that I cried for the ephipanies of my heart; moments that I felt enraged at the revelations of our broken culture; and moments I felt both satiated and thirsty to learn more. Lauren appropriately rips aparts several flawed paradigms of our time, so reading The Invisible Corset requires an open mind to hear the weaving of wisdom and an open heart to put that wisdom to action.
Single women, married women, mothers, young women, women of every race--and even men need to read this book. The world needs to read this book. For "the invisible corset cuts you off from your True Self, your power, and your joy. Self-love is unbinding yourself...because the world needs your True Self, your power, and your joy" (197).
August 30, 2023
I actually agree with a lot of what the author says in this book, and I think some parts can be really helpful for anyone struggling with self-hatred. However, for most of the book the author’s tone is so preachy and judgmental. She doesn’t seem to believe that some women truly do enjoy wearing make-up or lingerie. For some reason she thinks her own ways of taking care of herself (like Reiki healing) are superior.
Even more concerning is the lack of citations throughout the book. There is a list of sources, but nothing is directly cited within the material. This makes it impossible to tell if the author is making a claim based on scientific fact, personal/religious beliefs, or lived experiences. For that reason alone, I wouldn’t recommend this book.
Even more concerning is the lack of citations throughout the book. There is a list of sources, but nothing is directly cited within the material. This makes it impossible to tell if the author is making a claim based on scientific fact, personal/religious beliefs, or lived experiences. For that reason alone, I wouldn’t recommend this book.
January 10, 2022
I don’t read many books around feminism, or really anything with “for women” in the title or subtitle. I’ve always told myself that I wouldn’t be able to connect to the material and the message. But, I’m so glad I gave this book a chance, and what I think is different about this type of book is the prose that drew me in.
It’s so much more than accepting your body and overcoming the invisible strings of the corset on body hating and shaming. It’s a life guide manual on how to treat others and ourselves with integrity, respect, and compassion. At such a young age for an author, Lauren truly has a gift for writing. This is important work for our time.
Everyone should read this, pass it on to your family and friends, and teach it. Teach, teach, teach, that love is the only healing energy. ❤️
It’s so much more than accepting your body and overcoming the invisible strings of the corset on body hating and shaming. It’s a life guide manual on how to treat others and ourselves with integrity, respect, and compassion. At such a young age for an author, Lauren truly has a gift for writing. This is important work for our time.
Everyone should read this, pass it on to your family and friends, and teach it. Teach, teach, teach, that love is the only healing energy. ❤️
April 27, 2021
3.5 stars, I really liked the message of the book and I hope one day I'll be confident enough not to care about beauty standards at all. As many mentioned, the second part was harder to get into and I found myself skipping a lot.
November 3, 2021
This Invisible Corset contains valuable insights into the challenges of having a healthy body image in our current culture. The good news is Geertsen gives the reader tools to trust our intuition, our bodies and our sexual expression.
June 28, 2024
i thrifted this thinking it would be more academic/historical nonfiction but it’s a self help book that ended up really annoying me. DNFed about halfway through and skimmed the rest.
very unscientific and ahistorical (the assertion that all corsets throughout history have been painfully tight and uncomfortable is simply wrong), misspells the names of several people it references (such an easily avoidable error), claims that intuition is more trustworthy than empirical data (girl what the hell), and uses the phrase “collective female psychic memory” in earnest as if it means anything at all. obviously i’m all for encouraging women to stop hating themselves but if you mention the “divine feminine” even once while you do it i’m OUT!!! I’M GONE!!!!! it’s also just poorly written. there’s a half-baked analogy every other page and the actual message of the book could have been better conveyed at about a quarter of the page count.
also this book was published by an organization called Sounds True which is hilarious to me. that’s how i think miss geertsen went about finding her references (which, by the way, include self-proclaimed “mystics” and various instagram posts). “women can heal their relationships with their bodies by eating organic food and flushing their antidepressants? sounds true!!” she’s also anti-vaxx so is any of this really surprising?
anyways i would recommend anne archambault’s 1993 critique of ecofeminism for more thoughts on why the notion that women in particular are inherently connected to nature may actually be dehumanizing and ineffective!
very unscientific and ahistorical (the assertion that all corsets throughout history have been painfully tight and uncomfortable is simply wrong), misspells the names of several people it references (such an easily avoidable error), claims that intuition is more trustworthy than empirical data (girl what the hell), and uses the phrase “collective female psychic memory” in earnest as if it means anything at all. obviously i’m all for encouraging women to stop hating themselves but if you mention the “divine feminine” even once while you do it i’m OUT!!! I’M GONE!!!!! it’s also just poorly written. there’s a half-baked analogy every other page and the actual message of the book could have been better conveyed at about a quarter of the page count.
also this book was published by an organization called Sounds True which is hilarious to me. that’s how i think miss geertsen went about finding her references (which, by the way, include self-proclaimed “mystics” and various instagram posts). “women can heal their relationships with their bodies by eating organic food and flushing their antidepressants? sounds true!!” she’s also anti-vaxx so is any of this really surprising?
anyways i would recommend anne archambault’s 1993 critique of ecofeminism for more thoughts on why the notion that women in particular are inherently connected to nature may actually be dehumanizing and ineffective!
January 22, 2021
I have to say that, usually, I am not a huge fan of non-fiction books, but something on this title said to me that it could be a good reading, if I had a chance to read it. And I want to say that this is totally true.
First thing I need to say is that I had never heard about Lauren Geertsen, but I really like her way of focusing the different parts of the book. The amount of parallelism that she uses is so interesting and makes you, as a reader, think and think again in order to find that the things that you believe since you were a child are “dangerous” to you and you need to change it.
Each chapter talks about a different aspect, this is something that makes the reading experience enjoyable, but sometimes the chapter was too long for me.
This is not a light reading, but it is a fluent one. Maybe it does not make a lot of sense, yet it is the only true statement because when you start a chapter you feel involved in it and you can’t stop reading. I have underlined a lot of sentences to return to them later.
To sum up, an interesting, powerful and rewarding novel that made me think a lot and I will recommend it to all the women.
I want to express my gratitude to Netgalley and to Sounds True to give me the chance to read and review this book.
First thing I need to say is that I had never heard about Lauren Geertsen, but I really like her way of focusing the different parts of the book. The amount of parallelism that she uses is so interesting and makes you, as a reader, think and think again in order to find that the things that you believe since you were a child are “dangerous” to you and you need to change it.
Each chapter talks about a different aspect, this is something that makes the reading experience enjoyable, but sometimes the chapter was too long for me.
This is not a light reading, but it is a fluent one. Maybe it does not make a lot of sense, yet it is the only true statement because when you start a chapter you feel involved in it and you can’t stop reading. I have underlined a lot of sentences to return to them later.
To sum up, an interesting, powerful and rewarding novel that made me think a lot and I will recommend it to all the women.
I want to express my gratitude to Netgalley and to Sounds True to give me the chance to read and review this book.
November 2, 2020
*Received an advanced reader copy from Netgalley for a review!
This is the first book I have read by Lauren Geertsen and was drawn to it due to its title. I was really intrigued about what "The Invisible Corset" will present and how I will be able to associate with it.
"The Invisible Corset" is split into two parts, where Lauren focuses on how the "corset" has impacted the life of women in the past, present and how it is likely to in the future if there aren't changes. I particularly enjoyed the first part, where Lauren goes into specific detail when highlighting her points. Unfortunately, some of the exercises were not for me but saying that I could see how they can be helpful and insightful.
Overall I enjoyed reading the book and felt that it was written well.
This is the first book I have read by Lauren Geertsen and was drawn to it due to its title. I was really intrigued about what "The Invisible Corset" will present and how I will be able to associate with it.
"The Invisible Corset" is split into two parts, where Lauren focuses on how the "corset" has impacted the life of women in the past, present and how it is likely to in the future if there aren't changes. I particularly enjoyed the first part, where Lauren goes into specific detail when highlighting her points. Unfortunately, some of the exercises were not for me but saying that I could see how they can be helpful and insightful.
Overall I enjoyed reading the book and felt that it was written well.
February 22, 2021
The first half of this book is great. It explains all of the different ways that women have been and currently are trapped by the invisible corset. It also goes into what the future will look like should things not change.
The second half goes into different strategies on how to break free from the corset. Unfortunately the majority of the strategies were simply not my cup of tea and I can’t really see myself attempting them seriously. It felt a little too “woo woo” and I’m still not really sure that I agree with her statement that you can’t love anyone differently than you love yourself.
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The second half goes into different strategies on how to break free from the corset. Unfortunately the majority of the strategies were simply not my cup of tea and I can’t really see myself attempting them seriously. It felt a little too “woo woo” and I’m still not really sure that I agree with her statement that you can’t love anyone differently than you love yourself.
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2021
Fantastic book. Well written and researched, Geertsen organizes a complex topic that affects every woman and girl to one degree or another in our current social systems. And for far too many of us, the toxic messages of unrealistic cultural beauty standards and the billion dollar beauty industry that perpetuates and capitalizes on them, does deep and lasting damage. Damage to self worth, self esteem and to the relationship women have with our bodies. This book is a powerful and loving guide to healing that relationship and embracing our "radiant selves".
January 26, 2021
For all of the fashion designers and gurus who think size zero should be the norm. You are dead wrong and should be ashamed of yourselves.
This is a great book for anyone to read. Mothers and Daughters, Fathers and Sons. Think of it as a guide and manual to help you be your best self ever, regardless of whatever social influences are around you. Every chapter has some sort of nugget of wisdom.
This is a great book for anyone to read. Mothers and Daughters, Fathers and Sons. Think of it as a guide and manual to help you be your best self ever, regardless of whatever social influences are around you. Every chapter has some sort of nugget of wisdom.
January 25, 2021
Do you desire freedom? Freedom to connect with WHO you are! Freedom to LOVE your body! Freedom to fully LIVE and ENJOY your life! This is the book for you! The book is a beautiful mix of science, personal experience, history, and energy! Lauren covers it all and gives you all of the steps and tools to regain your FREEDOM! All women should read this book as well as anyone with a daughter!
April 29, 2023
This book is eye-opening and a breath of fresh air for anyone who has ever felt pressured by societal expectations and the beauty industry. Geertsen pulls back the curtain on how the beauty industry manipulates us into thinking we need their products to be better women and have a better life.
However, The Invisible Corset is not anti-beauty but is quite the opposite. It’s about making informed decisions about how you care for yourself so that you can base your choices on empowering reasons. After all, what’s more beautiful than having a truly healthy relationship with your body temple?!
What sets The Invisible Corset apart from other health and wellness books is Geertsen's emphasis on the interconnectedness of our bodies and minds. She encourages readers to view their health holistically, recognizing that mental and emotional well-being is as important as physical health.
Geertsen's approach is grounded in scientific research and offers practical tips and strategies for managing stress, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in movement and self-care. By recognizing the importance of the mind-body connection, The Invisible Corset provides a comprehensive guide to women's health and well-being.
In my humble opinion, this book will land well with emotionally and spiritually mature readers. However, this book may not resonate with you if you’re not open to considering that some of your beliefs may be disempowering or you hold superficial values.
cThe Invisible Corset is a must-read for any woman looking to improve her health and well-being and break free from harmful messages and expectations. It’s incredibly informative, and the author’s approach is refreshing and empowering. It provides practical advice while also addressing the impact of cultural and societal expectations on women's health.
As a holistic life coach for 15 years I believe this book is an invaluable resource that will help you break free from the "invisible corset" and live your best life.
However, The Invisible Corset is not anti-beauty but is quite the opposite. It’s about making informed decisions about how you care for yourself so that you can base your choices on empowering reasons. After all, what’s more beautiful than having a truly healthy relationship with your body temple?!
What sets The Invisible Corset apart from other health and wellness books is Geertsen's emphasis on the interconnectedness of our bodies and minds. She encourages readers to view their health holistically, recognizing that mental and emotional well-being is as important as physical health.
Geertsen's approach is grounded in scientific research and offers practical tips and strategies for managing stress, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in movement and self-care. By recognizing the importance of the mind-body connection, The Invisible Corset provides a comprehensive guide to women's health and well-being.
In my humble opinion, this book will land well with emotionally and spiritually mature readers. However, this book may not resonate with you if you’re not open to considering that some of your beliefs may be disempowering or you hold superficial values.
cThe Invisible Corset is a must-read for any woman looking to improve her health and well-being and break free from harmful messages and expectations. It’s incredibly informative, and the author’s approach is refreshing and empowering. It provides practical advice while also addressing the impact of cultural and societal expectations on women's health.
As a holistic life coach for 15 years I believe this book is an invaluable resource that will help you break free from the "invisible corset" and live your best life.
March 30, 2024
“Your place is in the home,” it now restricts women with the message, “Your place is in a beautiful body.”
“Our culture leads women to fear intuitive decision-making because it doesn’t make sense, it’s not measurable, and it’s not provable. All of that is true, and so is this: intuition works.”
“Western culture teaches us we have the right to dominate our bodies because they are things we own rather than beings with whom we are in relationship.”
“We believe that the only way to exist in our bodies is to dominate them into submission so they conform with cultural beauty and productivity ideals.”
“I just realized I’m not able to have this conversation now. I really value having this project finalized and working with you in a collaborative, effective manner. I can’t do that until I take a break to care for myself, so I’ll call you back in an hour.”
“When we’re dominating our bodies, we can’t let the love in.”
“We refuse to rest, play, relax, and experience joy in our bodies because we are so busy trying to control them."
“Do you want to dominate your body, or do you want to be cared for by her?
Do you want to control your body, or do you want to be connected to her?
Do you want to own your body, or do you want to know love?”
“If you perceive safety, your body relaxes into parasympathetic, and your body’s biological healing processes can function optimally.”
“We expect our bodies to follow the rules because we assume we exist in a closed system. We then feel like failures when our bodies do not behave as expected.”
“Mechanization of the body wasn’t an accident; it was an extension of the belief that humans are entitled to own and control nature. But if we’re controlling our bodies, how can we communicate with them?”
“ A lot of the reactions I get are just not relevant to my life, they’re just not relevant to who I am, to what I do, and to my story. I . . . just separate it from making an impact to people that I care about and then to not care about what the irrelevant people necessarily say or how they react.”
“Our culture leads women to fear intuitive decision-making because it doesn’t make sense, it’s not measurable, and it’s not provable. All of that is true, and so is this: intuition works.”
“Western culture teaches us we have the right to dominate our bodies because they are things we own rather than beings with whom we are in relationship.”
“We believe that the only way to exist in our bodies is to dominate them into submission so they conform with cultural beauty and productivity ideals.”
“I just realized I’m not able to have this conversation now. I really value having this project finalized and working with you in a collaborative, effective manner. I can’t do that until I take a break to care for myself, so I’ll call you back in an hour.”
“When we’re dominating our bodies, we can’t let the love in.”
“We refuse to rest, play, relax, and experience joy in our bodies because we are so busy trying to control them."
“Do you want to dominate your body, or do you want to be cared for by her?
Do you want to control your body, or do you want to be connected to her?
Do you want to own your body, or do you want to know love?”
“If you perceive safety, your body relaxes into parasympathetic, and your body’s biological healing processes can function optimally.”
“We expect our bodies to follow the rules because we assume we exist in a closed system. We then feel like failures when our bodies do not behave as expected.”
“Mechanization of the body wasn’t an accident; it was an extension of the belief that humans are entitled to own and control nature. But if we’re controlling our bodies, how can we communicate with them?”
“ A lot of the reactions I get are just not relevant to my life, they’re just not relevant to who I am, to what I do, and to my story. I . . . just separate it from making an impact to people that I care about and then to not care about what the irrelevant people necessarily say or how they react.”
April 26, 2023
An Invitation to Reconnect to One's Self
The author thoughtfully and provocatively brings light to beauty culture as a means of not only preventing women from stepping fully into their own power, but defines the limiting constructs that have been established to render modern populations confined by institutional psychological abuse and oppression. Patriarchy is not just perpetuated by men, it is often perpetuated by women, and, perhaps, even more pervasively by one’s own self. The Invisible Corset provides tools for self discovery, awareness, and reframing women’s relationships with their own bodies and minds by way of extraction from oppressive systems and empowerment of self.
Geertsen walks the reader through the historical context of rendering the human body a machine after the scientific revolution and expands on why reductionist thinking has far reaching consequences for health, happiness, and the future of humanity. Reconnecting with self on a holistic level that honors the breadth of one’s unique experiences, as well as biology, provides the foundation for true healing and self love rather than false treatments offered by the beauty industry and the allopathic medical paradigm.
She concludes the book with a Love Letter from Your Body ascribing written word for those just learning to tune out the internal and external critic long enough to quiet the mind and lean into her inner voice that speaks nothing but love and kindness without words, a voice that insists with the gentleness of a mother’s embrace that she learn the value of self care and, above all else, voraciously love herself.
The author thoughtfully and provocatively brings light to beauty culture as a means of not only preventing women from stepping fully into their own power, but defines the limiting constructs that have been established to render modern populations confined by institutional psychological abuse and oppression. Patriarchy is not just perpetuated by men, it is often perpetuated by women, and, perhaps, even more pervasively by one’s own self. The Invisible Corset provides tools for self discovery, awareness, and reframing women’s relationships with their own bodies and minds by way of extraction from oppressive systems and empowerment of self.
Geertsen walks the reader through the historical context of rendering the human body a machine after the scientific revolution and expands on why reductionist thinking has far reaching consequences for health, happiness, and the future of humanity. Reconnecting with self on a holistic level that honors the breadth of one’s unique experiences, as well as biology, provides the foundation for true healing and self love rather than false treatments offered by the beauty industry and the allopathic medical paradigm.
She concludes the book with a Love Letter from Your Body ascribing written word for those just learning to tune out the internal and external critic long enough to quiet the mind and lean into her inner voice that speaks nothing but love and kindness without words, a voice that insists with the gentleness of a mother’s embrace that she learn the value of self care and, above all else, voraciously love herself.
February 11, 2024
The biggest problem I have with this book is that the author implies again and again that “natural” is the better, more ethical, more empowering way for women to be. Not just “natural” in appearances but the author seems to be heavily against “unnatural” medicine. It just comes off as insulting to those who do choose to be “unnatural” in appearance or use modern medicine to treat their illnesses. Not every illness can be cured by just changing your diet or changing your habits- some illnesses need medication and no one should be made to feel like that’s a lesser choice.
I acknowledge and even agree that there are plenty of decisions women make based on underlying bad beliefs like “I can’t go out without makeup because I’m not attractive/valuable without makeup”. And while the author sort of quickly remarks “oh yea what’s empowering and right for you might look different”, they spend most of the book bad talking basically anything that isn’t “natural”. It doesn’t really feel like the author truly respects women’s decisions in self expression when it doesn’t align with their personal journey to no makeup and simplicity. I get that it can be hard to detangle where and when we started to desire certain ideals for ourselves but we shouldn’t just assume all women are constrained by the same toxic beliefs.
There are just so many sections in this book that feel regressive and i just can’t in good conscience recommend this book due to those vital flaws.
I acknowledge and even agree that there are plenty of decisions women make based on underlying bad beliefs like “I can’t go out without makeup because I’m not attractive/valuable without makeup”. And while the author sort of quickly remarks “oh yea what’s empowering and right for you might look different”, they spend most of the book bad talking basically anything that isn’t “natural”. It doesn’t really feel like the author truly respects women’s decisions in self expression when it doesn’t align with their personal journey to no makeup and simplicity. I get that it can be hard to detangle where and when we started to desire certain ideals for ourselves but we shouldn’t just assume all women are constrained by the same toxic beliefs.
There are just so many sections in this book that feel regressive and i just can’t in good conscience recommend this book due to those vital flaws.
February 9, 2022
3.5 stars. Altogether was a good read with really great quotes, points, and validating acknowledgement of patriarchal influence and control. My favorite point was actually where Lauren points out that if we are going to ignore criticism, we also have to let go of the need for praise. So many people say that they do not care what people think, while still eating up the validation that comes their way... and somehow ignoring the negative feedback? I never understood how that worked, so I appreciate Lauren lending words to the conundrum that is accepting praise while not accepting criticism... It's a nonsensical approach to have a one-way filter.
The second part of the book became a bit ungrounded and overly new-agey. I say that with caution since I have written a new age book myself. Much of what Lauren says is interesting and may even be right, but I always go back to the, "Just because we don't have an answer doesn't mean we fill in the gaps with whatever we want" logic. I'm not saying that her methods or healing style is ineffective since it clearly worked for her, but the fact is that alternative methods or simply changing one's diet does not cure all ills or fix every problem. Take her wisdom with a grain of salt -- it is an interesting read even so.
The second part of the book became a bit ungrounded and overly new-agey. I say that with caution since I have written a new age book myself. Much of what Lauren says is interesting and may even be right, but I always go back to the, "Just because we don't have an answer doesn't mean we fill in the gaps with whatever we want" logic. I'm not saying that her methods or healing style is ineffective since it clearly worked for her, but the fact is that alternative methods or simply changing one's diet does not cure all ills or fix every problem. Take her wisdom with a grain of salt -- it is an interesting read even so.
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May 9, 2024Interesting to see how a book can include so many concepts I agree with and yet come to a variety of conclusions, some of which I agree with, and some of which I don't. I applaud the skepticism toward societal standards of beauty and health, and our constant dissatisfaction, but I wish that there was more skepticism applied to other solutions as well. This is a frequent concern for me when it comes to advocating for more "natural" (in Geertsen's words, "woo woo") methods: often all skepticism falls away. Just because we can acknowledge that our medical system is imperfect, and that the pharmaceutical industry is often actively harmful, do we completely trust alternative medicine? Do we not acknowledge that herbal, new age, and homeopathic medicine is also a very profitable industry, which also benefits from manipulating us? That said, I think there are some great sources in this book and some impactful insights. I think that where this book lost me was on conflating the individual experience and larger cultural experiences. If this was more of a personal reflection, I think it could have functioned better. In order to be a successful systematic take down of society, there needed to be more citations and research.
July 12, 2022
This book is a very good eye-opener about the many ways women are kept in this tight corset that restricts everything about them. The first half of the book deals mainly with showcasing all this. It can get a bit repetitive there, but know the focus shifts after the 50% mark, going to more concrete ways to get in touch with yourself and what your heart really wants. A lot of people will say all this sounds very woo-woo...but if you're into woo-woo, this is really going to resonate with you.
However, as any coach or therapist or even teacher knows, the information is there, but who will choose to hear it, let alone listen to it? Some people might not be at a place in their lives where this work is going to resonate with them, but that's okay. This then makes it one of those books that would be good to revisit time and time again - you never know what or how something in there could resonate with you
However, as any coach or therapist or even teacher knows, the information is there, but who will choose to hear it, let alone listen to it? Some people might not be at a place in their lives where this work is going to resonate with them, but that's okay. This then makes it one of those books that would be good to revisit time and time again - you never know what or how something in there could resonate with you
January 5, 2024
'The Invisible Corset' is a very interesting read, which at times feels like two separate books joined together. The first half or so is a very intriguing deepdive into beauty standards, the pressures to conform to certain ideals, etc. It is written in a very personal tone, with Geertsen sharing freely from her own experiences. I was glad that she also drew from the insights of professionals because otherwise it very quickly, for me at least, drifts off into "connect to your divine inner self, girl", which is not my vibe. However, I definitely saw the empowering messages being shared here as well. The second part leans more heavily into the self-help advice, which is just not something I really connect to.
Overall, 'The Invisible Corset' is an interesting read, but it depends on your own tastes regarding self-help whether it will properly connect with you.
Overall, 'The Invisible Corset' is an interesting read, but it depends on your own tastes regarding self-help whether it will properly connect with you.
April 26, 2023
I’ve followed Lauren’s blog for years and read The Invisible Corset when it first came out. This book is a heart-opening invitation to freedom! It’s not just about accepting your body in a world of impossible beauty standards, it’s about reconnecting to your body’s wisdom on a spiritual level. It’s about permission to be your true self, inside and out. The first half of the book is a compassionate explanation of how beauty culture controls us, the second half is practical tools and techniques to get free. Lauren analyzes and validates women’s body struggles, but explains that we aren’t helpless victims… we are unconsciously complying (and even supporting) the toxic beauty standard. This book shows us how to take our power back. I have recommended this book to many women in my life.
August 10, 2021
Book #57 of 2021! This was my first non-fiction read of the year; The Invisible Corset is about dismantling the systemic ways beauty culture negatively impacts women. There were a lot of good messages in this book, but also there was some slight anti-medication (SSRI’s) and natural remedy talk that I didn’t agree with. I definitely will be reevaluating the way I think about my body and body image. I loved the history included, which discussed here various constructs and ideals originated. There are also journaling exercises throughout to help begin the process of breaking free from the invisible corset. A good read in body image for sure!
November 25, 2022
A modern take on "The Beauty Myth." All about how beauty culture keeps women distracted from their oppression by causing them to obsess over how they look in relation to Western culture's impossible beauty standards. Also highlights the ways that beauty culture keeps women disadvantaged economically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. When one spends substantial money, time and energy on appearance, it leaves less room for personal development, creative pursuits and the pleasures of life. An important book that will cause you those ready to question their decisions around beauty purchases and practices.
October 22, 2023
I appreciate what the author was trying to do with this book and the way she calls out the systemic factors that lead us to internalize oppression. There were 2 exercises I liked about connecting to one’s “true self.”However, in some sections of the book she gives dubious nutrition advice that could be harmful to people who’ve experienced/are experiencing disordered eating. Also I found out the author is an anti-vaxxer. I’d recommend Sonya Renee Taylor’s “The Body is Not an Apology” over this book.
June 19, 2024
Overall I appreciated this book. The author brought up a lot of valuable concepts around how women’s thoughts are shaped by diet culture and we turn off messages from our bodies. I found the parts where she connected abusive emotional relationships to the similarity of diet culture validating.
I was not sure where the statistics were on some of her statements. I also felt as if the book was saying, “follow these steps and you’ll be cured.” There was no feeling of compassion that undoing what diet culture has put in our heads can take a lifetime to recover from.
I was not sure where the statistics were on some of her statements. I also felt as if the book was saying, “follow these steps and you’ll be cured.” There was no feeling of compassion that undoing what diet culture has put in our heads can take a lifetime to recover from.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2022
I listened to the audiobook of this early this year and it was unfortunately a DNF for me. I think the ideas in this are solid but I struggled with the middle/back half as I felt it was getting repetitive and didn’t have a lot of practical advice for taking on a lessened state of social capital in a society that utilizes these methods of oppression for women femmes and non-men. Interesting read with some good concepts, though.
February 14, 2021
So, I tried listening to this. I think it would be better hard copy. And I couldn’t finish it because I didn’t like the narrator, and the message was so negative I didn’t want to listen anymore. It’s not *bad*, there’s some wonderful information, but it just wasn’t the right time for me to read it.
April 28, 2023
Really enjoyed reading this book and learning how men’s world manipulate us women to keep away us from our power. By feeding our bodily insecurities through perfect bodies ads, esthetic medicine and make up, they try to control us.
This book is a huge eye opener. Totally recommended!
This book is a huge eye opener. Totally recommended!
August 5, 2023
As someone who has struggled with body dysmorphia since I was 10, and weight gain since 2020, this book helped me put some things into perspective that I never concerned originally. I would recommend this to any other woman who has also struggled with their own body the way I have.
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