Hey! How are you? Really, how ARE you? Let's take a minute to check in and genuinely see how we are, to reflect.
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Let's do an ode to self.
It doesn’t make sense to call ourselves ugly, because we don’t really see ourselves. We don’t watch ourselves sleeping in bed, curled up and silent with chests rising and falling with our own rhythm. We don’t see ourselves reading a book, eyes fluttering and glowing. You don’t see yourself looking at someone with love and care inside your heart. There’s no mirror in your way when you’re laughing and smiling and happiness is leaking out of you. You would know exactly how bright and beautiful you are if you saw yourself in the moments where you are truly yourself.
In honor of Valentine's Day next week, and in honor of building up all women around us, I am going to list the 10 things I truly appreciate about my body. I would love for you to do the same. You are welcome to share yours here, or wherever you feel most comfortable. Don't just think these wonderful things about yourself; write these notes of appreciation down and save them in a place you can read them, again and again.
10 Things I Love About Me & My Body
1. I have pretty feet that are long and nicely shaped, and I often have them nicely pedicured, fun colors reflecting my mood of the moment (or at least the moment I took to paint them). I live in places where I get to wear sandals most days, so I enjoy showing off those painted toes.
2. My eyes are crinkled up by crows feet that remind me how much I’ve enjoyed laughing, and I know my dimple is becoming a crease, but it too, flashes often.
3. I like how tall I am; I can reach things on the top shelf in most kitchens, and have long arms and legs. Being tall felt awkward when I was younger (especially tween and teen years) but now I like that I fall above that 'average height' window.
4. I appreciate movement and how my body can accomplish what I want to accomplish. I do not take this lightly; the struggle through peri- and menopause is very real, and for many many months I not only had minimal energy, I also felt aches and pains. I appreciate every single movement so very much.
5. My eyes are a nice almond-y shape, and interesting color, with lashes long enough that they give a lot of oomph, especially when I use mascara.
6. My curly hair makes for a great deal of variety in looks. It may or may not be fabulous, but it’s never boring. It weathers a bad cut fairly well, and luckily, I have learned to accept what it wants to do (which take 5 minutes tops), instead of fighting to get it to do anything else.
7. I’m deeply grateful that when we decided to have babies, my body got pregnant without difficulty, and I carried all three babies without too many difficulties. I am profoundly aware that this is not the case for everyone and I absolutely do not take it for granted. I did not appreciate being pregnant, but the end results are nothing short of sheer magic.
8. My shoulders are strong, and I love how they contribute to the best things like swimming.
9. My legs are strong from years of running and moving. I love that I can (mostly) keep up with the boys, and that I can try any new sport and do at least somewhat admirably. I have an enthusiasm of movement that I try to share with others through teaching workouts.
10. I love my curious brain, and how it thinks, jumping from one topic to the next.
Now you: Take a deep breath, look in the mirror and tell me. What do you love about your body?