These photos are actually about a week old. I’ve been waiting to figure out what I wanted to write about with them (and narrowing down which of the twenty or so to share).
I don’t remember exactly what I was doing the afternoon Amelia crawled over to our guest bathroom and saw herself in the mirror. But when I saw how captivated see was with her reflection, I snatched the camera and took advantage of recording the moment. It was exciting to watch her as she babbled and waved to herself with such a pure curiosity.
How often do we as women just revel at the uniqueness of ourselves? Sure, we probably all spend way too much time staring in the mirror, but how much of that is spent analyzing our faults rather than accepting ourselves just as we are? How often do we walk around worrying about our hair, or running late because we had to make sure our clothes looked just right? Not to say that we shouldn’t care about our appearance, but we shouldn’t let it stop us from being able to fully be ourselves.
To think of how much time I’ve spent critiquing myself in the mirror, I can’t imagine the hours (days??) I’ve wasted over the course of my life. It’s saddening to think how this is such an ingrained part of being a woman (or even a girl) in our culture. I have brought four beautiful children into this world and have a life filled-to-the-brim with love and laughter (along with tears and diapers, too). I’m allowed to not look like a supermodel, or even just a regular model (do those exist?).
I invite all of you reading this, especially you mamas, to take those imperfections that always seem to keep you back–even if just a little–and own them. I may be on the thin side, but I have stretch marks and a belly, and you’ll never see me in a bikini–but who says I have to wear one anyway?
As I watched Amelia enjoying being a baby I remembered how much I could just enjoy being me. And I realized how important it is to nourish that curiosity and love of self for my kids, especially my daughters. And I need to nourish that in myself first and foremost.
How has mamahood changed your self-image? What struggles have you had in accepting yourself just as you are?
And I promise I do have some projects I’ve been working on to share with you soon. I’ve just been in a bit of a reflecting mood lately. Hope you all enjoy your weekend, and my heart goes out to any of you who may be suffering as a result of the terrible storms raging through our country–you are in our family prayers!
This is just what I needed reminding of today. Seeing your little girl (just a little younger than my little girl) ENJOYING her reflection is so profound. I usually don't enjoy my own, but if I ever hope to break that cycle for my own daughter, I need to learn to, and not because I finally lose the last 10 pounds, but because I am "fearfully and wonderfully made"…as wonderful as our little girls are.
Thank you.
you are beautiful amy! i wish the mother's body was celebrated, rather than the "perfect," childless body of a 20 year old. i have friends who make comments about how thin i am, but my body changed during my pregnancy with river. i gained and then lost the weight so fast, my skin around my legs and butt is very loose, and i also have a lot stretch marks in those areas. i feel softer and squishier everywhere, haha, but all of that is okay with me. i know with each baby, i'll change even more, and i hope i can accept that and see the changes as a symbol of the love i have for my babies and the time my body was a place for them to be knitted together and grow.
So sweet and such a cute moment. Thank you for encouraging us and I hope you are encouraged as well:)
Elizabeth and Melissa–I'm so glad this post was encouraging for both of you! Motherhood is such an amazing thing–it's a shame to make women feel guilty for being vessels of life!
Whitney–thank you for sharing! No matter how much we feel like we could look like the 'other woman' at times, all of us have something we wish were different about our bodies.