Reposted – ’cause it’s worth reading again!

Working in the Gibsons store lately has re-opened my eyes to the challenges faced by so many women (including myself many days) in loving our bodies – unconditionally.

I’ve been in this business 11 years this year and have had hundreds of conversations with women about ‘celebrating your curves’, walking tall, focusing on the best parts of …yourself.

BUT I’ve been feeling lately that women need more support, more reminders, more challenges to stop wasting time looking and focusing on the negative.

Our bodies carry us through this world – they create and nurture babies, work at important and life-changing jobs, hold hands with friends and lovers, dance, play, strut.

Let’s acknowlege and love the differences (lumps, bumps and curves) of our bodies.

They tell our stories. They are roadmaps to how we got here and who we are today.

I’ve wasted years of my life waiting to be the perfect size before I would take a risk at looking stupid or fat in an activity. (there was that perfect moonlit night on a glassy lake when I wouldn’t get into the double kayak with my boyfriend because I thought I was too fat.

I wasn’t! In fact I’m much bigger now and have been kayaking many times and have never got my butt stuck. I missed out on a magical opportunity while watching my boyfriend paddle off into the moonlight!)

NOT doing those activities/living life/trying new things only led me to feel stupid and fat.

(Oh, and the other thing that is interesting is that you can be ANY size and still hate your body!

This isn’t an exclusive club – anybody can join.)

It’s not easy when society/media still regularly sends out messages that thin with boobs is the only normal but there are things you can do to challenge that.

Help yourself feel good by wearing a colour that makes you sing or a fabric (have you tried bamboo?) that feels like butter on your skin. Get fitted and wear the right size bra. Stand up tall and look people in the eye! Own your space. Swish those hips!

Speak clearly and demand to be heard!

And here’s one more thing you can do…

When your daughter, mom, girlfriend, bestie complains to you about their body – don’t engage!!!

Instead, tell them they’re beautiful. Tell them you don’t see them as unlovable parts but as a whole, strong and beautiful person. And maybe the next time you look in the mirror, remember those words and repeat them loudly to yourself.

You are beautiful!