Body Image – Page 17

This Michelle must have a proud mother, and a proud husband, and proud daughters, because I know I’m proud to be hosting aspiring author Missus Michelle of What Happiness Is

Feeling beautiful has been so elusive for me. A good portion of my life has been spent worrying about my lack of beauty, and as a result, I have missed out on opportunities and happiness. Thankfully in recent years, I have let go of all that nonsense. Of course I still have days I wish I were thinner or that my hair was fuller, or whatever it may be, but for the most part I feel beautiful and here are my two main secrets:

1 – Accepting and believing sincerely given compliments. Especially the ones that have more to do with my character and less to do with my physical appearance. I allow myself to see that beauty involves much much more than my dress size.

It’s like looking at a Monet painting up close. If you scrutinize individual brush strokes, it is nothing more than squiggly lines and smeared paint. The beauty of the masterpiece is found in stepping back and taking in the whole picture. The same is true when looking for beauty in ourselves, we need to stop focusing in on individual features and appreciate our full characters.

2 – Being true to myself. It takes practice and courage, but I believe that beauty is reflected more abundantly in those who know what they stand for, and honestly try to live in alignment with those standards. It can be so easy to be a different person depending on who we are with, but where is the power in that? Real beauty comes from confidence, and real confidence comes in being true to who we are. Knowing who I am, and being true to that knowledge makes me feel beautiful!

I guess what it comes down to is the belief that beauty is our birthright. We were all created with the ingredients of beauty, the only thing we need to add is our willingness to believe it and the courage express it!

Feed me fashionably fresh

Hi, my name is Kim, and since I can’t afford therapy I write over at Yep, they are all mine.

I have to admit, I was a little taken aback when Reachel asked me

to write this – a post about body confidence and feeling beautiful in my own skin?

Me? Okay, I’ll give it a shot…

I’ve been pregnant three times and have birthed three babies.

Age, stress, and more food/less exercise means that

my body looks very different then it did 10 years ago

{photographic evidence HERE}.

But here’s the thing: I refuse to be sucked into the mom trap.

I’m not a size 6 anymore,

but that doesn’t mean I need to give up on life

and live in black yoga pants {never actually used for yoga} and baggy t-shirts.

There are a few “fashion rules” I try to live by {most days} that help me feel good about myself:

{1}

On the days I don’t work,

it’s really easy to fall into the “lounge around in my jammies all day” routine.

However, I would rather not drop my kids off at school looking like THAT mom,

so I make myself take a shower and get dressed.

When I’m put together, I feel better.

And I don’t embarrass my kids.

{2}

I don’t have a fancy wardrobe.

I buy most of my clothes from Target and thrift stores.

The one thing I splurge on is jeans.

Nordstrom Rack and consignment stores have amazing deals

on premium denim – and it is totally worth the cost.

This ass needs to be properly contained.

{3}

Accessories are my best friends – they punctuate – and distract away from

a potentially boring outfit on those days I don’t have any clean clothes.

Even the 4-year-olds understand.

{4}

I love, love, LOVE colors, patterns, textures, and layers. They make me happy.

And when Mama’s happy, everyone’s happy.

{5}

Wedges.

The only chance I’ll ever have at long legs.

Thanks so much for having me, Reachel!

Feed me fashionably fresh

Beauty-Full Tuesday: Michelle of What Happiness Is

Beauty-Full Tuesday: Yep, They Are All Mine