because I know we’re our most harsh critic.
I hurriedly posted a video the other day on social media because I had something important to say. It was in between momming, I didn’t think to maybe have a quick glance in the mirror - at least straighten my eyebrows or put on a slick of lipgloss - or even find a flattering camera angle or lighting set up! And I have been feeling so deeply vulnerable about it ever since. What I had to share is way more important than how I think I look, and is of way more value, and yes, it’s real in the heavily filtered world of Instagram, but it still hurts somewhere inside. The part of me that doesn’t feel like she’s good enough, loveable enough, acceptable enough just as she is.
On the contrary, I posted a picture of myself at the start of the year that looks like it’s been filtered and I hate that too! I dont want to show up filtered. And I’m as embarrassed by that image.
Could I delete them both? I could but I won’t. That would leave me feeling far more mortified!
Instead I’ll sit and love myself here in this vulnerable place.
I’ll try to understand why I am so harsh & hard on myself, why I place more weight on how I appear vs what I have to say or share.
And I encourage you to do the same beautiful women because we are so much more than our looks. SO MUCH MORE. And we are SO hard on ourselves, here, in particular. Yes, it’s conditioning & we’re being bombarded by it nonstop, but only we’re responsible for buying into it.
Can we just show up and trust that’s enough? That we’re loveable here just as we are? We can but only if we can love ourselves here first. And so as I learn to do that for myself, I invite you to do the same.💌
From my beautiful friends Deon & Reni...
"Don’t prioritise your looks my friend, as they won’t last the journey.
Your sense of humour though, will only get better with age.
Your intuition will grow and expand like a majestic cloak of wisdom.
Your ability to choose your battles, will be fine-tuned to perfection.
Your capacity for stillness, for living in the moment, will blossom.
Your desire to live each and every moment will transcend all other wants.
Your instinct for knowing what (and who) is worth your time, will grow and flourish like ivy on a castle wall.
Don’t prioritise your looks my friend,
they will change forevermore, that pursuit is one of much sadness and disappointment.
Prioritise the uniqueness that make you you, and the invisible magnet that draws in other like-minded souls to dance in your orbit.
These are the things which will only get better."
Dame Judy Dench