For me, feeling beautiful comes down to one, simple truth: I can do hard things.
I learned this for myself a few years ago when I went through a divorce…at the same time I was finishing my last year of graduate school…and starting an internship as a therapist…in a jail for boys. Yup, it was hard. Back then, I had a choice to make. I could either meet the challenge, or not. Either way, the challenge wasn’t going anywhere. I chose to meet the challenge. And I did it for myself.
There’s something about making good, right, albeit very difficult choices that makes you really start to value and love yourself. Like parents tell their kids, “if you work hard and earn it yourself, you’ll appreciate it all the more.”
Loving myself is something I’ve earned. Now, my self-image isn’t so much tied up in how I look or the clothes I wear. Feeling beautiful is connected to the good choices I have made, am currently making, and will make, no matter how big or small those choices may be.
With self-love comes confidence. A woman who knows her value and loves herself is so much more attractive than just another pretty face. Apparently all that stuff my mom told me during those awkward teenager years about people gravitating more towards someone with self-confidence over good looks is true. And all the while I thought she was just being a good mom trying to make an awkward, shy teen feel a little better about her freckles and fair skin.
So I may forever hate my baby face knees and pumpkin head but, ya know what? I will never, ever tell myself I’m not beautiful, that I’m not worth it. I’ve worked far too hard for myself and made far too many good choices for myself, to believe that nonsense.
Feed me fashionably fresh
This was very inspiring! I also had to go through a divorce at a young age while I had a little baby. It was rough! But that’s when the tough get going. I also think that beauty is in our strength. Good for you for hanging in there!
Laura
Born To Be Styled
love Sam, she is so adorable.
~Andrea @ http://hecallsmewifey.blogspot.com/
So beautiful!
This is exactly what I needed to hear today
Sam is the bomb.com! Love her, love this post.
Accepting the challenge… the HARDEST PART. But thanks for the inspiration to do so! Love the ideas of this Tuesday Thing and thats why I joined! Can’t wait.
I love Sam! She is positively 100% the best of both inner and outer beauty!
I loved this thank you
Well said. Self-worth and self-esteem truely make all the difference.
That was really nice.
Just so you know, I would kill for your hair. And your sense of style. And your husband. (or one just like him.) 😉
but yeah, I know what you mean. That really is what it is all about.
Love this post. So inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Its not always easy to share the hard moments.
-Heather from lifeofapasseri.blogspot.com
What a lovely post. You are very BEAUTIFUL, Sam. Seriously, you have such a pretty, classic look….and you’re just the sweetest, too!