Think about the last time you looked in the mirror – not just at your face, but at your whole body. Did you really look? Or did your eyes automatically slide to the parts of yourself you think you could – or should – improve? So maybe we should rephrase the question: When was the last time you looked in the mirror and genuinely loved what you saw?

We’re often being told to love our bodies – but sometimes, this simple act of self-acceptance can feel surprisingly hard. Reversing our reflexive habit of wishing that certain parts of ourselves could be smaller, or bigger, or more tanned, or less wrinkly, or generally just different to the way they actually are, takes time and effort.

But it’s far from impossible – you might just need a hand (pun not intended). That’s why we’ve devised a little strategy we’d like you to try in the lead-up to the release of our body-themed Summer issue: writing a message to your body and telling it what you love about it. What makes it special? What does it do for you? What’s your favourite part of it? Focus on the positive, and prepare to put a permanent sock in that negative self-talk.

So grab your camera, snap a picture of your body or a particular part of your body, and compose a few warm words (no more than 50) to thank that trusty vessel that carries you through each day. Perhaps you want to marvel at a particular thing your body’s done for you, like giving birth, finishing a marathon or surviving an accident; perhaps you just want to tell your body what you like about it or thank it for getting you this far in life.

Whatever you decide to write, we’d love you to share it on social media using the hashtag #projectdearbody, or send it to us at hello@peppermintmag.com by Sunday 30 October. We’ll be choosing as many as possible to publish in our next issue, which hits shelves on 24 November, and we’re happy to keep your submission anonymous if you’d like it to be. Help us celebrate real bodies in all their glorious beauty!

It’s time to give your body a well-deserved dose of devotion. What’s inside might be more important, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pause to acknowledge and appreciate what’s on the outside, too.

Please remember that if your Instagram or Facebook settings are private, we won’t be able to see your submission – so please email it to us too. By posting and taking part, we will assume you’re giving us permission to publish your words and image in the next issue of Peppermint magazine. Please let us know if you do not want your submission be to printed in the magazine.