It all seemed so touchy feely and boring. I didn't expect to spend the afternoon wrapped up and involved in all these gorgeous, honest, heartwarming posts. Shit.
So here I sit, thinking about my body. It's has never let me down and it's perfectly fine but I still have a problem with it.
I was raised to feel self conscious and imperfect by a self conscious and vain mother. So, I have managed to spend my whole life trying to hide and disguise my body. I am not fat, I am not thin. My butt might jiggle, my boobs may be small, my thighs are soft and my tummy round...
...but...
I am strong and can lift heavy things, I can run and run and run, I can cuddle my girls with both arms (and legs if I want) for however long I like and I can laugh loud often.
At this moment...
I HEART MY BODY
Thanks for linking up Rachel.
ReplyDeleteThe linkup isn't about sharing a story of hardship, its about finding the positives about your body and your body image. I am glad though that you read the posts, I love reading them as they come in.
Thank you again for linking up xx
Hi Carly, I knew it wasn't about hardship. I loved all the stories and found them so inspiring xx
DeleteOh phew. I just wasn't sure sweets, I just didn't want you to think that you couldn't participate because you didn't have hardship xx
DeleteI amended it slightly :)
DeleteYou are gorgeous lovely - inside and out x
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyndaal. I think you're pretty lovely too xx
DeleteI think you are stunningly beautiful Rachel x
ReplyDeleteYou are really kind Catherine, thank you x
DeleteThats just the thing isnt it Rach - not many of us do feel our bodies are worthy. But damnit they are - they may not be perfect but worthy they most certainly are. You are one gorgeous chick hun, not just on the outside either. xx
ReplyDeleteBack at you gorgeous xx
Deletegood to see you got on board!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anne.
DeleteIt's hard when others in our life influence how we feel about our bodies. I certainly have my issues, but have learned to let them go. You look like a beautiful loving women, what's not to love? :)
ReplyDeleteThank you xx
DeleteYou are lovely and I hope you don't still possess the self consciousness you felt as you were growing up!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you laugh loudly and often. I love a good belly laugh that makes your stomach and cheeks hurt after xx
There is nothing better than the big laugh that hurts. Rxx
DeleteI grew up always being led to feel self conscious as well. But now, now I know that beauty is more than smooth, tanned skin on a well toned body. My curves are womanly dammit! x
ReplyDeleteYes, I completely agree. I still see my mother wrapped up in her insecurities while I am loving my girls and my life. I am glad I realised what's important before I wasted more time. Rxx
DeleteMy mother is impossibly tall and thin and usually has a tan...so, although for perhaps different reasons, I too grew up feeling self conscious and imperfect.
ReplyDeleteIt quite honestly has taken me a long time to get over it...and my sister still is not over it.
I don't know what it was exactly that caused me to no longer care...I think part of it was meeting my husband and his confidence in me and his love for me!
I am glad that you heart your body!
Having met you IRL, you seem so gorgeous and poised. I think children help us to realise what's important too. Rachel xx
DeleteSuch good reasons for loving your body x
ReplyDeleteThanks Kylie!
DeleteI think you are just perfect Rach. All these posts are just so great aren't they. They are raw and truthful.
ReplyDeleteThey are, I'm loving them all. I loved your post too. Rachel x
DeleteYou, lovely lady have got it going on x
ReplyDeleteThank you Nikki x
DeleteYou look really fit, healthy and happy in your photo :) Well done!
ReplyDeleteOh but you are stunning. Love the picture. You look a bit shy and so very beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, you are very kind. x
DeleteStunning as always ya know :-) xxx I heart you
ReplyDeletexx
DeleteYou look gorgeous Rachel and you have got to love a body that can run x
ReplyDeleteThanks Carli, I always wanted to be able to run. It was hard to get there but worth the effort. Rx
DeleteFairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely
ReplyDeleteSame to you xx
DeleteYou are a strong, fit, beautiful woman, wife, mother, friend. Love your story. Adore you.
ReplyDeleteI love you Sonia xx
DeleteRachel, you do love your body. If we concede that love is a verb, then you're doing it all the time in the way you exercise it, feed it, decorate it. Don't sell yourself short. Maybe, just maybe, you should be a bit more gentle with yourself. These other ladies are right - you are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAin't nothing wrong with 'touchy-feely'. It's not boring. Loving yourself and saying something about it is not a behaviour that needs the judgment inherent in that label. It just is what it is :)
Keep smiling your lovely smile XXX
I agree, there isn't anything wrong with touchy-feely. Rx
DeleteHaving met you IRL, the words that come to mind are "petite" and "pretty"!!! love Janet xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet, you are really kind x
Delete"My butt might jiggle, my boobs may be small, my thighs are soft and my tummy round..." - see, these are actually good things!
ReplyDeleteLOL, excellent x
DeleteLove this post, Rachel. I have been lucky to meet you IRL and just think you're absolutely gorgeous. All the more that you recognise your physical strength and endurance x
ReplyDeleteThanks Grace. I think you're gorgeous too
DeleteYou DO love your body and that's love as a verb, you treat it well, you let it run and move in other ways. Lovely, simple messages from you in this post - hooray!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Seana xx
DeleteI think you're pretty damn gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThank you x
Delete