Day 15 of Self Love February:

We are taught from a young age to be humble; that to voice what we love about ourselves is vanity. Self absorbed.

However, when you start on the journey of self love, body positivity, body neutrality, or other form of self appreciation, it becomes essential to be able to see – and believe – things about you that you love.

• your legs because of the places they’ve taken you
• your breasts for they’ve nourished your children
• your belly as they grew your babies
• Your arms for the hugs you’ve given and the people you’ve held
• Your eyes for the beauty you’ve witnessed
• Your hands for the things you’ve made
• Your smile and laugh lines as they’re proof of the joy you’ve experienced

Remember, this is what YOU love about your body because society will tell you otherwise:

If you’ve had children, you likely have loose and/or sagging skin with stretch marks. That body, which is celebrated while growing a baby, is expected to snap back immediately after and have no evidence of this incredible feat.

If you have laugh or smile lines, you’re targeted to get botox to remove them. Enjoy your life, but according to society, you’re not allowed to look like you’re enjoying it. Smile and laugh lines = “looking old” and “looking old” = bad.

For me, I love my eyes. I’ve always loved the shape and the long eyelashes, but most people probably see the bags and eczema (?) from an allergic reaction to makeup. However, I’m a visual person. I love sitting and watching a sunset or sunrise. I love seeing the fall colors of the trees and the bright green shoots in the spring. I love photography and looking back at old photos and the memories they evoke.

For personality, I’d say it’s my persistence. I may struggle, I may take a knee to rest, but I never give up. It may take me longer than I want, but eventually I’ll achieve my goals!

How about you?