How To Love Yourselfie
A special version designed for the 14th Annual Tom Tom Festival
This research-based social media literacy program has five (5) modules with videos and a workbook.
Facilitated by Debra Hopkins, President of Breaking the Chains Foundation
- LOVE YOURSELFIE: Promote real versus “ideal” body image.
- EXPLORE YOURSELFIE: Enhance self-awareness.
- HELP YOURSELFIE: Reduce perfectionism and increase self-compassion.
- BE YOURSELFIE: Engage in social media literacy.
- CHERISH YOURSELFIE: Encourage positive actions and embrace optimism.
Saturday April 25th
Registration at 2:15 in YMCA Lobby
Workshop will wrap up by 5:30
The Brooks Family YMCA
Charlottesville, VA
Cost: $35 per attendee
If this is outside your budget, ask us about a scholarship by clicking here.
All proceeds support the HTLYS program after material costs. All staff is volunteer.
Welcome to How To Love Yourselfie!
How To Love YourSelfie is designed for young people, teens and adults navigating the pressures of social media, self-image, and growing up in a highly connected world.
This workshop is ideal for participants who:
• Spend time on social media
• Struggle with comparison, confidence, or body image
• Want tools to build stronger self-esteem
• Are curious about developing a healthier relationship with themselves and the digital world
No prior experience is required—just an open mind.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
Ages 14 - 25
EveryBODY!
Note: Some of our How To Love Yourselfie events and day camps include younger participants; however, this hybrid program is designed for ages 14 to 25.
As a Participant, you will:
1. Challenge the idea that there is an "ideal body".
Did you know that you can take more control over your thoughts about your body? Body image is perception not fact - that’s why it’s called an image. Body image is a picture in your mind.
On some days your body image is positive and on other days, it may be negative. It can even change from one hour to the next after you hear, feel, see or experience something that brings you down. In this program, you’ll challenge what you’ve been told is “ideal” by advertisers who are trying to sell you products and define what’s healthy for you instead.
We believe that you want more control over how you feel. So why give anyone else the power to decide what’s healthy for you? No one knows your genetics, exercise goals or food preferences better than you do. This program will remind you that it’s your body and you have the power- not advertisers- to decide what’s healthy.
2. Increase your social media literacy by increasing awareness of the negative impact of higher engagement and photo manipulation.
Social media is fun, connecting and here to stay, but no one taught you how to deal with it well.
That’s because previous generations haven’t been exposed to the media in quite the same way.
Therefore, this program challenges you to become your own expert by becoming more media literate. Like any tool or toy, social media can be destructive or beneficial.
Today you’ll take a step back to question how your habits are impacting you and decide if you want to stick to your routines or change them.
3. Identify how social media habits impact your body image.
You may be in habits that are good for you. Or, you may be doing what you’ve always done without questioning the impact of your thoughts and behaviors.
Once you recognize the negative impact of photoshop on your self-esteem and lean into habits that align with your values instead, you may notice changes.
If you begin to feel more satisfied with your body, less depressed and less anxious, your values may become your new social media guide.
4. Reduce your habit of perfectionism (a risk factor for developing an eating disorder).
Trying to be perfect likely leads you into the compare and despair cycle. You may compare yourself to a more perfect version of yourself or to someone else. Either way, it may be leading to the opposite of what you actually want… to less happiness and less motivation.
In this program, you’ll experiment with giving up the habit of perfectionism and replacing it with self-compassion. Self-compassion is a way of accepting what’s happening now, treating yourself kindly, then making plans to reach your goals.
When you move away from perfectionism and toward self-compassion you can keep your high standards without giving up your self-esteem.
5. Build resilience by increasing body gratitude and enhancing relationships.
Boosting your sense of overall well being may sound impossible but scientific findings can tell you how.
There is good evidence that when you learn how to become more optimistic, grateful and maintain good relationships, that can lead you to a healthier, happier life.
If what you’ve been doing and how you’ve been thinking has you stuck, you can try these science-backed strategies. Even if they don’t work right away, you just might notice a positive change over time.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
- Seated workshop setting for program.
- You will receive a custom private link to your own workbook.
- Mindful gentle movement (note: participation is not required. Seated options will be available.)
WHAT TO BRING
- Bring your laptop or tablet to log into your personal workbook. If you are not able to bring one, you can follow along on the screen.
- If you would like to bring headphones for your laptop or tablet, please do.
- Bring a yoga mat if you have one.
- Bring a water bottle if you have one. We will also have water to share.
WHAT YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH
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Greater confidence and self-awareness
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Practical tools to navigate social media more intentionally
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Strategies to quiet negative self-talk
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A stronger sense of self-worth beyond filters and comparison
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Encouragement to show up as your authentic self
Most importantly, you'll leave knowing you are more than your reflection on a screen.
What Participants Are Saying
"BTCF's How to Love Your Selfie Program is fun, educational and accessible. The video introductions coupled with the journal prompts helped me to take the necessary pause to become more self aware about my own biases and tendencies. Please bring a version of this targeted for middle-aged individuals! So much of our comparison culture has been ingrained for decades; there is still so much to learn about loving ourselves in the ways we connect and share on social media, and how we in turn show love and acceptance to others. Thank you to BTCF for creating a safe space for self-reflection!" Chris Mika, National Eating Disorder Advisor
"The presentation is very nice, upbeat, and unique. It's also light-hearted rather than loaded with overwhelming information. I have no suggestion for how you can improve your program because it is great!" Lan
"Social media can be really tricky to navigate and overwhelming at times. The videos are great, and Jillian makes me feel like she's talking directly to me. She's real. Some of the workbook is challenging, but it really makes you think, which is a good thing. I would recommend this to every high schooler and college student!" Brianna
HTLYS Gallery
Here are just a few of our favorites from past HTLYS events. Camps and workshops facilitated by Breaking The Chains or by other Certified Facilitators.
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Can't make it to the in-person workshop?
Click here for more information on the How To Love Yourselfie program.
The online program can be ordered through this page.
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