It makes me really sad that you are so self conscious of yourself. That you actually used the words ashamed when you described seeing a photo of you. That you can’t see the beautiful, kind, funny and caring person that I can see.
I hate my teeth, I’m not sure if anybody actually knows that but it’s because I don’t want people to see what I see, you know when someone points something out that you couldn’t see before but now that’s all you can see. However, if I won the lottery it would be the one thing I would physically change about myself.
I have a big pointy nose, although I never actually noticed this until last year. I’m pretty sure I can’t blame pregnancy for this one but it does seem more pronounced on photos now that it ever used to.
My boobs are still in okish territory but that’s only because they are still filling with milk, I am ready for them to drop and be less than ok once I finish feeding.
My tummy has mummy ripples. My bum and thighs, I choose not to inspect anymore but I’m pretty sure the cellulite won’t have miraculously disappeared.
My feet, well I can’t say I’m a fan of anybody’s feet but I’m sure my big toes are too big in comparison with the rest of my toes and as D points out there is a ridiculously large gap between the big toe and one next to it. Haha it’s a good job I know he loves me.
Oh and my hair, I’m surprised I have any left with the amount I lose on a daily basis. I thought that would stop after having Lucas but it is continuing to shed.
But this is me, this is the body that has carried me for 30 years, that has protected me when I have fallen, that has created a new life and allowed me to give birth to my beautiful child.
So please don’t look in the mirror and be ashamed, look into the mirror and hold your head up high for everything you have accomplished in life and everything that is still to happen. Be grateful for what you have got, the friends and family around you, don’t shy away from the camera, capture those memories to treasure and remember when you look at a photo next time, focus on the healthy body in the picture that is allowing you those precious moments x
Rachel says
Absolutely! I wish that everyone could have such a positive body image, and I truly hope I can teach my daughter (and son) to love themselves no matter what :).
#bestandworst
Claire says
I think it’s all about appreciating your body for what it does, really – the mirror is a false frenemy.
Rhyming with Wine says
This is so very true! We all get hung up on the minute details and forget to be happy with the amazing bodies that we are so lucky to have! I don’t tend to look in the mirror that much any more if I can help it, but I don’t mind it. My stretch marks and saggy bits are just a reminder of the fantastic job that my tum did of growing two tiny tots, and I honestly love them for that! Great post. #bestandworst x
samantha rickelton says
What a lovely uplifting post 😀 I think more people need to take on your advice x
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
It’s the press they teach us from a young age to want to be stick thin. I worry about my girls as they are already too conscious of how they look.
Erica Price says
We all have bits that we aren’t so keen on. I think there is too much pressure to look good.
clairejustine says
Aww lovely post.
I know there is a few of things I’m not happy with but going to hold my head up high 😉
Dean of Little Steps says
I used to be really insecure about my body too. But now that I’m a mum in my 40s, I’ve learned to accept and love every bits of me, including the wobbly bits 😉
Rosana @ Hot&CHilli Food and Travel Blog says
Nice post. Since childhood we keep seeing and hearing the same ‘how we have to look and unattainable goals’ from press and TV no wonder we feel pressured.
Life as Mum says
What a lovely post. I hate my body at the moment. But I know what I have to do to and that is loose weight a bit and I know i’ll be happier then.
Kelly says
I am ok-ish with how I look at some level. I think having my daughter has also made me far more responsible with talking respectfully about how I look as well. I don’t want her to learn any sort of self hate behaviours from me.
Ana De- Jesus says
I think we all could learn something from this post,particularly when we live in a photoshopped age that makes us feel uncomfortable in our own bodies. I have always been insecure about my body but I need to learn to be accepting of it.
Rhian Westbury says
I hate it that others feel like this but am in no place to feel like that because I am exactly the same about myself. I am very conscious about how I look x
Sarah Bailey says
I have to admit I hate mine – I wish I didn’t and I wish I could become more OK with it, perhaps one day. x
Kira says
We all have our insecurities so I think it’s great that you’re willing to share yours but still stand by your word in telling everything to love their body.
Bridie By The Sea says
Hear hear! I also have numerous things I am very insecure about when it comes to my body but want to feel more positive about it. A friend once said to me that when you look in the mirror you should quickly think of one thing you like about your body and it will allow you to look at that part positively – rather than focusing on lots of negatives. #bestandworst
Jessica McDonnell says
This is such a lovely post. I’m one of those people who spends far too much time obsessing over my looks. I’ve always been self conscious.
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi) says
Such a lovely post! I really believe that the only way to happy with the way we look is to be happy with our inner self – I’ve been so miserable about all the extra weight I put on with my daughter and haven’t been able to shift. But then it kind of hit me that, while it would be nice to be slimmer, I am more than how much I weigh. Since then I’ve started noticing other things that I actually do like when I look in the mirror. x
Newcastle Family Life says
Weirdly I have found that even though my body is in its worst state ever after having children I am actually more confident and care less about how I look x
helen gandy says
This is very true and I wish I loved my body more but sadly I don’t! Isn’t body image such a niggle. Thanks for linking up #bestandworst
Sam says
What a wonderful world it would be if we could all feel a little better about ourselves!
Liz Mays says
This is a great message. We can be so critical of ourselves. It’s not helpful!
Jessica says
Love the power and confidence on this post! 🙂 I used to complain on my height but I started loving it as it has lots of advantages too. Love your body indeed.
Fashion and Style Police says
Lovely post. I am in love with my body.
Rachel says
I think the post title says it all, you are right, we only have one body and we should love it as it is x
Jess says
I totally agree – bodies are for living in and we should be grateful for the amazing things they let us do <3
Vai Chin @Rambling Through Parenthood says
I have horrible teeth, carry weight where I shouldn’t and shy away from photos. You’ve just helped me realise I need to stop worrying and start becoming a part of those memory records x
Kitty Kaos says
YES such a beautiful post we all need to appreciate the bodies we are in and the magical things they help us achieve every day x
Tanya Brannan says
It took me over 30 years to learn to love my body. I don’t worry about any part of me now, I just embrace the whole big round flabby lot 🙂
Ali says
I struggle so much with this. I know I don’t look bad but I still look in the mirror and all I can see are the bad bits. We should celebrate our bodies more instead of putting ourselves down.
Elizabeth says
I hear you. Oh I so hear you. I don’t have photographs taken of me, and if I rarely do it’s always the back of my head. Issues. :/
nicol says
this is true! its hard to forget that its the only one youll get with all of the media criticising every single thing
Hannah says
Totally agree with you! I am learning to love my body the way it is instead of wanting to change it everytime I look in the mirror x
Zena's Suitcase says
I know all the negative feelings you talk about here. Lovely post and something to think about
Karen gough says
I’m the same, I have abit of a tummy from having my two girls and I hate it when people laugh a me when I say I want to lose abit of weight. just cause I look skinny in places that you see (legs and arms) does mean what is covered up is the same. But I give up now because what do I need to look like a size 6 model for, I have my partner and our daughters its time to be yummy mummy insted
RachelSwirl says
I HATE my body, I need to lose weight and I often look at others and wish I could be their shape/ size. It’s not a nice feeling but it’s one I want to rectify once I get a new job and a new lifestyle.
Fi Ni Neachtain says
It’s nice to read posts like this that promote a positive body image. There are far too many publications that promote a ‘perfect’ often unachievable look.
Alina says
This is a really nice post. I always try to love what I am and one thing that my sister said in particular (not about how you look but in general about something else but it still stuck) was ‘if you don’t like it don’t look’ so if someone doesn’t like what you look like it’s their problem, they should look away – I am happy with me. Hope that makes sense 🙂
Anosa says
They say we are our own worst critics and it’s true but after criticising ourselves we should also point out what’s awesome and love ourselves
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I totally agree that we should love ourselves, it’s really hard when you’re staring at something you don’t like but an important thing to remember nonetheless!
Anna says
What a thought provoking post. Society puts these standards that we have to look and act a certain way and if we dont we get bullied. I grew up hating my body, but im learning slowly to like the way i look.
Mel Sak says
So true, we are all beautiful in our own unique way.
Laura H says
Great post! It’s important to accept yourself for who you are and remember that you are your own worst critic!
WhatLauraLoves says
I absolutely LOVE this post. Packed full of positivity and very thought provoking! xxx
Stephen says
This is the post we should all read when we feel a bit meh about ourselves and need a pick me up!
ohmummymia says
Thank you for that post:) I’m in that moment of my life when I see a lot of bad things in my body. Maybe you right and I should start see only what is good:)
#ablogginggoodtime
Mummy in a TuTu (@mummyinatutu) says
I think this is a really important post and I think that more people including myself need to listen. Apart from when I was pregnant i dont ever remember being happy with my body!
Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime
babyfoote says
This is such a good post!
I am usually quite happy with my body, just this Christmas food baby belly needs to disappear. And it won’t do that by itself, so thanks for the kick up the bum – we’re going to get ready and get outside pronto!
Jenni says
Thank you xx
Tammymum says
Ah this is lovely and so spot on. We all defineitly need to be a little kinder to ourselves R&HT xx
Jenny (Accidental Hipster Mum) says
I really love this, I am mostly ashamed of how I’ve let myself go but I really need to change my outlook.
Thanks for linking up! #RT&HT
Hazel Newhouse says
Spot on! It’s taken me 27 years to start appreciating my body. I have KTW syndome and the majority of my right side is covered in a huge port-wine stain. I can deal with stretchmarks, sagging mummy boobies, the ‘pouch’ and even my weird shaped fingers Hahaha!
Every human is beautiful, just some of us need to remember that it’s OK to love ourselves.
xx