Thursday, June 21, 2012

I like me.


Shoes: Seychelles via eBay / Leggings: F21 $4 / Dress:  Thrifted $7 / Cardigan: Thrifted $5
Bag: via eBay $5 / Watch: Lucien Picard via eBay $75 / Ring: Nordstroms
Anyone who has followed my blog for a while knows how much I believe that every man, woman and child should be able to feel comfortable in their own skin. During my studies, I came across article after article that talked about how damaging our culture's unrealistic expectations can be on an individual's perception of themselves. We need to change the way we think about ourselves. They way we think about our beauty, value and place in the world.

So it is a little hard for me to admit that one of the hardest things about this pregnancy for me to deal has been the physical changes I've been experiencing.

My boobs look like a war zone. I can't do any of my pants up, let alone get them over my hips (which will never again be quite like they were before pregnancy). My legs have been permanently burned red, my ankles are starting to swell, and I don't really remember what is was like to not have a bloated belly.

But, instead of being grateful for all these changes and what they represent, I've been frustrated by them.

So, I needed a reminder that I like me. Swollen belly, ankles, boobs and all. Beauty isn't and shouldn't be defined by what you look like, but how you allow your experiences to shape and define you.

 Regardless of weight, skin tone, age, or pay grade, you should love yourself for who you are, as you are.

So, I'm renewing my commitment to like myself, just as I am, right this moment.

If you want to commit with me, you can join this list. Commit to celebrating yourself, your uniqueness, your difference,  your talents; you. Commit to really appreciating yourself as you are and trying to avoid comparing yourself to anyone else.

I like you, and you should too.

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5 comments:

Unknown said...

this is beautiful! i am worried about liking myself during pregnancy but this is a wonderful perspective - and a great reminder.

Kinzie Sue said...

Having a bloated belly, stretch marks, swollen ankles, and not fitting into pants IS pregnancy. When you see beyond the LOOK that pregnancy gives you, you remember the beautiful flutters of a baby moving around, and you realize that your body is beautiful because it is doing incredible things to CREATE a child. Pregnancy and all that comes with it is one of the most beautiful times of a woman's life. You are beautiful. Not just because you look it, but because you are part of an incredible process. So happy for you :)

Julie said...

I love your outfit in this post. Also, you always look super cute, pregnantness and all- even if you don't feel it. And I know sometimes the feeling it is the most important part, but just so you know, you're still a styling babe to the rest of us!

Amy said...

I'm so glad that you stopped by my blog! I loved this post, and is definitely something that I can take with me. Recently, my skin has been breaking out like crazyyy. And I'm like woah, this never happened in high school. Isn't that when this stuff is supposed to go down? Anywho, I've had to remind myself just this. It is not about what I look like, and maybe this is a good reminder to not place so much of my self image on how i look. Thanks for the reminder! :)

Rachel@ A Little Bit of Ray said...

Honestly, pregnancy makes it so hard when it comes to liking yourself. You spend years and (hopefully) years liking your pre-pregnancy body and then this wonderful thing happens:you get pregnant. You're so excited and can't hardly wait the 40 or so weeks it takes for a new life to develop, however; in that process so much changes and it's so hard to accept those changes. So, ignore them if you can and ignore what your body will look like for about the first six months or so(really, I am trying to be encouraging) after baby comes. Finally, you will live with your body long enough to accept it and love what it went through in order to bring this darling child you adore to pieces into your life. Then you'll want to be as healthy as possible so you can stick around long enough for you to enjoy your child. Just don't do what I did and be pregnant for 2.5 years(three kids) because that seriously wreaks havoc on your physical and mental health. I'm better now though :) Be happy :)