A short story: Once upon a time there was a young woman who feared wearing shorts because the outside world taught her to be ashamed of her 'imperfections.' For years, she beat herself up, hating her cushy dimpled legs, constantly comparing them to the smooth, 'perfectly' toned legs she saw online & on magazines. Until one day she woke up and said “f*ck this sh*t” and lived happily ever after. The end. ⁣ ⁣ Just a quick reminder that, no matter how hard the outside world may try to make you feel otherwise, you are beautiful just as you are. So please, let those REAL, perfectly imperfect legs of yours enjoy the sun this summer! Trust me when I say this… the only person judging you is you.⁣

It’s OK to be BIGGER than your partner!

We have been conditioned to believe that as a woman, we should ALWAYS be SMALLER than a man.

We often associate matching or exceeding our partners weight or size with feelings of self hatred.

It’s important to remember, just like women's bodies are different, MENS bodies are different too.

Male or female, we ALL have completely DIFFERENT genetics, skeletal structures AND metabolisms. These varying factors dictate how our bodies look, meaning weight can look different on EVERYONE.

As a woman you can feel like you HAVE to be dainty, petite and small. This narrative has been CONDITIONED in us by everything we consume, women always being shown as the DELICATE counterpart.

My favourite tv shows and films growing up would ALWAYS depict a woman with a much smaller frame and a contrastingly much bigger partner.

I would see them wearing their partners sweatshirt like a dress, because it was that BIG on them.

Being EASILY picked up.

Taking up LESS space sitting on their partners knee.

I’ve had previous relationships where as the bigger one, I’d WASTE so many hours loathing my body for not being lighter than my partners, questioning HOW they could love my bigger body.

Now, I know its OK if my bodies bigger than my partner. Its OK if my body weighs more than my partner. My body is my own. It’s unique, and it’s DESERVING of love regardless of the space it occupies.

The size or shape of my body does NOT define the love I am allowed to receive from my partner.

The size or shape of my body does NOT define me as a women.

I am defined by so much MORE than my body, and so are YOU

I’ve lost it today. I really miss my bump and baby being inside me. I don’t feel I appreciated it enough while I was pregnant and now it’s over. Joe and I didn’t have one picture of him with my bump. The thought of not having that memory has been really getting me down so today, Joe and my Dad helped me get a picture of what’s left of my bump to cheer me up. I love them so much. It’s not the same but it still means the world to me. For the record, for all of the people who asked me how excited I was to get my pre baby body back? Was I hoping to 'snap back?' Am I going to train? Etc etc. I hate these questions. They’re pointless. And not important or relevant. No one knows how they’re going to feel and what we look like after birth is the very least of our worries. The truth is I’m devastated that my belly is shrinking by the day. I wish it could stay around for a little longer. I feel empty and hollow. Not to mention like I’ve been punched in the vagina

There are good days & bad days. Highs & lows. The place we are all in is just hard and we are human just trying to figure it out day by day. One minute I feel productive & like super mom and the next I feel like I’m failing at it all. Today was a low - a valley kind of day. My kids are normally pretty great and well behaved (for what you can expect from a 4 and 1-year-old whose mom is also juggling working full-time). The moment I get on a conference call, it’s like the diversion of my attention away from them sets them off. A flip of the switch kind of moment. They don’t understand being asked to be quiet for 30 minutes so mommy can talk or listen. Or to stay out of the trash can. Or to not ask me for a snack for the 50th time. Or too sit still or share. Today I hung up from a call, closed my computer next to the untouched and slightly cold coffee they spilled all over the counter, shouted at the top of my lungs in frustration and just sat in the kitchen floor and sobbed. And my kids got to bear witness to it. I documented this because I want to remember the valley as much as I remember the mountain. Because both are what shapes us. And because life isn’t all cupcakes and rainbows. Some days I feel confident and accomplished and other days I just hope I loved well & hard enough. The good thing is, these babies are resilient and forgiving. And despite the moments where I am lacking attention or patience, I am still their favorite person. They knew my frustration was directed to them and they both cried and came directly to hug me. They held me. And Lane kept apologizing for making me sad. Not my proudest moment as a mama but it was a raw one. And so we sat in the floor and hugged and I apologized and got up and tried again and for today, that is enough. Sending huge hugs to all you mamas in both your highs & lows. And while they all matter greatly, they all shall pass, too.

We did it. We gave birth in the middle of a global pandemic. ✊🏻⁣⁣
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I’m not going to lie and say it was easy—breathing through contractions with a mask on didn’t help—but I’ve never felt stronger as a woman, a mama, and human constantly advocating for myself. ⁣⁣
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We are recovering well (alone) and I’m looking at this time as a special bonding experience with my new baby, rather than the anxiety I’ve had about not having my partner with me.

July 31. that’s when this photo was taken. just over one month postpartum. i’ve been meaning to share and then i blinked and now it’s September!? i shouldn’t be surprised though, so many people told me this would happen! so much has changed and happened, yet so much feels the same. i feel the same, just maybe a little more tired! i’m moving a lot slower these days, i burn out faster, these jeans are still tight and my clothes still don’t fit, but that’s okay. we’re all doing the best we can and that’s enough. recovery hasn’t been as easy or as fast as i thought it would be, and then i remember why. getting lost holding these little hands and tickling these little feet is all i need and want right now.

Your WEIGHT may change, but it doesn’t impact YOUR WORTH.
It doesn’t.
Even though sometimes, for so many of us, we get confused.
We start to think it does.
That some silly number on a scale makes us GOOD or BAD.
It’s been on my mind a lot lately thanks to all these ’OH NO, ENDING QUARANTINE FAT!’ memes.
Dark humor is a way so many of us survive difficult times.
But this bodyphobic humor is dangerous. Because it whispers to us lies wrapped in fear: that if we gain weight, we will be failures, not worthy, worthless.
Only that’s WRONG. So wrong.
Because our worth? Our worth sits in SO. MUCH. MORE. Than some stupid number on a scale.
It’s in our ability to reach out with kindness even as the world rocks.
It’s in our brains. Our souls.
Our determination to fight for something better.
Our hope for the future.
Our love for each other.
Our WORTH is connected to all that makes us WONDERFUL and HUMAN.
And that?
That’s something weight could never change

While this isn’t the picture perfect mommy + daughter moment it’s one of my favorites. It’s an accurate depiction of how this pregnancy has been going with a toddler. ⁣
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Maisy Jo has been so much help during this pregnancy. While I’m not as sick as last time I still have my moments, and Maisy Jo is always there by my side trying to comfort me, or pretending to puke beside me.😂😅⁣
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I was so worried about being pregnant with a toddler because of how sick I was the first time around, but she’s honestly been a huge comfort and support for me.

The reality behind dinner these days is mastering the art of bouncing a baby on one side and slurping 🍝 as fast as you can while answering questions from a 3 year old. Number of days in dry shampoo unknown, but really wouldn’t have it any other way.

You know what is amazing?⁣
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Just a couple of years ago I was walking backwards out of rooms to avoid my own husband seeing my cellulite. ⁣
I wouldn’t wear certain leggings that might show it. ⁣
Or long sarongs to hide. ⁣
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But then I started seeing these woman. ⁣
In this little community called Instagram. ⁣
They were showing up and showing themselves. ⁣
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And suddenly all that shame and aloneness I felt started to shrink. ⁣
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In time it shrunk so small I barely noticed it anymore. This shame I had carried for so long. ⁣
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It was replaced by something new. ⁣
Something that wasn’t shame and it wasn’t really pride either. ⁣
It was somewhere in the middle. ⁣
A non thought. ⁣
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The non thoughts led me to live my life more presently. ⁣
To forget about what the backs of my thighs might look like and instead focus on all that was in front of me. ⁣
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All because women in front of me chose to exist in their bodies, I now choose to exist in mine. ⁣
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How amazing is that?

here’s what we’re not going to do, okay?!
We are no longer going to let strangers walk into our homes and tell us how to live in them. We are no longer allowing unsolicited opinions on where to hang portraits, where to place decor or how to arrange our furniture. Why? Because it’s YOUR home.

And your body is a home, your body is YOUR HOME.
The dimples are placed where they are intentionally, the curves, the moles, the cellulite - all parts of what makes up your home. It’s what makes your home YOURS and it’s freaking marvelous. And no one - I mean NO ONE should have the weight to tell you how you 'should' or 'should not' live in it. And that’s on PERIODT

Jazz Jennings is proudly showing off her gender reassignment surgery scars in this swimsuit photo: " I'm proud of my scars and love my body just the way it is. I call them my battle wounds because they signify the strength and perseverance it took to finally complete my transition.

When you’re doing yoga in your undies & your 8-month old decides to join in. 😆🤗 This mom life is never dull, that’s for sure. Also - health really DOES exists for someone in a larger bod. Well, how about that.

Physicians Assistant Taylor Poynter is getting hate for working in the ER while pregnant: “When I shared a photo of myself holding my baby bump in PPE…I received dozens of comments from strangers about my pregnancy—specifically how unsafe I was being for working in a COVID-19 unit,” she explains. And now she’s speaking out why a lot of pregnant women need to keep working: “I hope that people will think before they make nasty comments, because you don't know someone else's situation. And most of all, I hope that people understand that we would never want to put a baby in harm's way, and we're doing everything we can to stay safe.

Can I be honest guys? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I want to talk about the first few weeks of postpartum. The breastfeeding, the connection to your baby, the new life you enter.. not the beautiful parts but the ugly.
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The media shows mothers after birth as fully groomed, well rested, happy as ever with their new baby & their new perfect life. But that isn’t the case for most moms. I imagined second time around would be easier but it in fact was harder. Labor was longer with excruciating pain, my body took longer to heal, breastfeeding second time around was more painful than I could ever imagine & the connection to my baby... was faint. This is a picture of me mid meltdown on my 2nd week. I just got done breastfeeding for what feels like the 100th time & Doug had just entered the room asking if I needed anything & I said no. When he walked out, I just broke down. Because there were SO many things I needed.
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I needed breastfeeding to get easier, I needed my nipples to stop bleeding & heal, I needed SLEEP & I needed to feel connected to my precious baby in my arms. I needed to stop feeling guilty for not being the perfect ideal mom and for not being the veteran mom I thought I was. I needed to be less harsh on myself. I needed more than my husband could give me. After a long prayer, I took the photo bc I knew this time would pass & wanted to be reminded later what I had overcome. And now I’m sharing it with you mommas that need to hear❗️YOU ARE NOT ALONE & THESE HARDSHIPS WILL END❗️
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The days of painful breastfeeding has ended for me and I feel like a natural now. Jace has been sleeping 6+ hrs for his first stretch of night sleep (Hallelujah!). Also, with more sleep & less stress I could finally feel connected to my baby. I am totally COMPLETELY obsessed and in love with him! Things are looking brighter on my end & it will for you guys too. I’m okay now and you will be too. Stay strong mommas.

'Positive vibes only' is a load of s**t. It’s vulnerable AF for me to share this...but I know that someone out there is struggling and me only sharing the 'bright and shiny' parts of life, doesn’t serve anyone. So, I’m posting this for anyone else having a hard time during the holiday season. For anyone who doesn’t feel loved or accepted by the ones who were meant to love you the most. For the new moms who are lacking sleep, running on fumes, and questioning their abilities. For those who are dreading Christmas because someone you love won’t be there this year. For anyone, anywhere who is hurting right now... YOU ARE ALLOWED TO FEEL. You ARE NOT a failure. It’s OKAY to not to be okay...Multiple emotions is part of what makes us HUMAN. The world will not collapse if you unplug and shut down for a while. Your feelings are valid. You are not weak. You actually DON’T need to 'fix' this. Feel what you feel and know that this too shall pass. You are enough. You are not alone. You are loved and supported by a power much greater than you. It’s going to be okay love. Deep breaths...you’ve got this

I workout 5x a week, eat healthy, have lost 50+ lbs and my stomach looks like this when I sit and I’m still SO proud of my body.

I see so many fitspos getting applauded for an over dramatic bending to make it look like they have rolls.

Does this somehow make them more relatable because they’re brave to show a crease in skin?

How is it we are clapping for them pinching their stomach to prove they have fat on their body?

I’m posting this because I do not relate to those with airbrushed overly filtered skin poking at their stomach to share what 'real' looks like.

Real for me looks like bloat, stretch marks, belly rolls, a line where my pants sat all day, filter free skin.

That’s the real I hope you can relate too.

It’s been a week since Charlie was born, he is the greatest blessing and one of the greatest lessons for me as a mom.
I had all these hopes and dreams that postpartum would be easier this time. But I still ache. I’m healing. I’m tried.
Bella was such a colicky newborn. She cried and cried for months. Threw up. Had gas pains. I breastfed for months because that’s what I was told was 'best.' When I changed Bella to formula, she was a new, happy little baby.
This time, I had hopes that Charlie would be different. But it just isn’t the case. I decided to stop breastfeeding and try him on the same formula Bella was on, and within a bottle or two he was so happy. He stopped crying. He could relax. He could sleep. He smiled.

There is such a stigma about breastfeeding. If you don’t do it, you don’t care about your children’s health. You don’t love your kids enough. You’re being selfish. You just aren’t being a good enough mom. Honestly, I know my comments will prob be full of people telling me all sorts of things I could have/should have done to make it work for us.
But the one huge thing I found this time is that I made a really hard decision within myself as a mom to listen to my gut about what was best for my child. And you know what...it worked. He is soooo happy and that is all that matters." .
Link in bio for full story—including the meaning behind putting cabbage on your breasts.

If you had to describe this square with one word, what would it be? ⁣
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While I see a Iot of words and I'm sure you do too, I need you to see the most important one to me: "committed"⁣
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To loving myself⁣
To healing my mind⁣
To mending my heart⁣
To feeding my soul⁣
To strengthen my body⁣
To finding my true happiness⁣
To acknowledging my emotions instead of burying them⁣
To staying positive about accepting myself⁣
To knowing that I deserve to be happy⁣
To being determined at staying active⁣
To ensuring I'm always kind to myself⁣
To giving myself permission to not being afraid of food⁣
To enjoying a healthy life!⁣
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To recognizing self hate.. Self doubt and shutting it down.⁣
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To always staying beautiful me, an amazing wifey and one awesome MAMA!⁣
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The first image was taken 2 years ago... The second taken this week. A key difference is I was able to identify my weaknesses and shut them down, I found my strength and I ran with it. It made me happier and it shows.

When I say that dieting has a toll on the body I mean that in a mental and physical way. What has calorie counting contributed to? For me it gave me anxiety because I was always nervous about underestimating the amount. It contributed to me backing out of events with friends and family because I felt overwhelmed thinking of all the tracking that I would have to do.

That my friends is not healthy. There should always be some middle ground with food and your relationship with it. It’s okay to have goals that contribute to your health. But ask yourself what you are doing to achieve those goals. Are you counting every morsel of food because an app told you so? And then trying to exercise it off if you go 10 calories over? I remember doing that and that’s NEVER happening again.

There are so many things and words of advice I can tell you but I can’t say that it’s easy to forget what we learned. We’ve learned from childhood to diet to look a certain way. We’ve been told to replace our meals with shakes and smoothies. We’ve been told to watch the carbs. We’ve even been told not to eat nightshade vegetables. Ummm because a model and football player told us to. You don’t owe the world a body. You have a right to want something for yourself but question the methods of how you’re doing something. You never should make sacrifices for it

All women should feel sexy in their own skin and that's what we're teaming up with a group of influencers to prove. Check back throughout the day, we’ll be posting more from the empowering photo series here. . First up, Bethanie Garcia of @thegarciadiaries explains that once she became a mom, she felt like all "sexiness" went out the window. “I spent the first several years of motherhood feeling anything but sexy. My body had endured so many changes and I honestly didn't recognize the woman I saw staring back at me in the mirror,” Garcia explains. “My husband always *wanted* me and told me how beautiful and sexy I was, but those words didn't make me feel any better about myself internally. They were like little band-aids that made me feel better for a moment, but the wound was still open and there.” . But once Garcia started her journey towards self-love and body positivity, she also saw a huge shift in her mentality: “I started loving my body, appreciating my body, seeing my body for what it was. My body has endured loss, my body has given me four healthy children, my body has struggled with anxiety and depression, my body has overcome. And once I was actively appreciating and loving my body, I couldn't help but see it as sexy. I started flirting and teasing my husband and wearing lingerie I wouldn't have dreamed of wearing before. I started seeing every roll and curve and dimple as beautiful. I started feeling sexy for living my life unapologetically- regardless of my size. I wasn't worried about what people think or what society's definition of sexy is. I feel sexy in my skin and I am thankful every day for this body of mine.

Such a calm feeling this time postpartum. There isn’t a feeling of surprise this time around when I gaze upon my empty yet pregnant belly.

I understand my body isn’t a magic trick that just poofs itself back to whatever we assume 'normal' is.

I’m not flustered by the curves that haven’t yet flattened because I understand more fully the feat my body has pulled. & I am truly in so much of a happier place this time around because my focus isn’t on what my body isn’t doing but reveling in what my body has done, what nature has done and what I’ve done in this journey.

I’m blissfully tired and my heart filled with joy not because I’m meeting some expectation I’ve made for myself or I’m living up to a societal expectation of me. I’m blissful in what is in this moment and the fact I’m healthy with this 8.5lb baby in my arms.

I am postpartum. Again. And in love with it more infinitely than ever before

Confidence blooms when we begin to recognize our own beauty. It flourishes when we choose to appreciate each and every piece of ourselves. It thrives when we realize, the way in which we speak to ourselves matters 🙏🏼
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No matter what size you are or what your body looks like, choose to love yourself and love yourself HARD. Your scars, marks, lumps + bumps all make up all of the tiny details that make you wonderfully, uniquely YOU

Mamas, you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. In the midst of these stressful times, it’s okay to cry. It’s okay to let your babe lay in their crib and cry too. We all need it. I know right now, you feel at your worst. You feel hopeless. You feel worthless. You feel defeated. You can’t hold it together anymore. You haven’t showered in days. You are in day 3 of the same pjs. You haven’t brushed your hair or teeth. Just let it all out. Cry. Scream. I know many of you will look at this photo and will either be like, 'why are you taking a picture of yourself crying?' Or 'you’re just doing this for attention.' OR maybe you will be able to relate. And I hope many will. I took this photo to remind myself of this day. To remind myself that I’m not 'weak' because I cry. I am not weak because I feel things deeply. I am not weak because I feel helpless. I am strong. I am a mother. I am worthy. My kids are happy, healthy, loved and fed. To remind myself that bad days will come and go. But then you might ask, why are you crying? Well, I grieve my hysterectomy every minute of every day. I grieve the nights I don’t get to put my kids to bed because I had to go back to work part time in the evenings + weekends. I dwell on the moments when I get mad at my kids for testing my patience. I dwell on all things that are out of my control. I overthink. I worry. Postpartum depression + anxiety are a b***h. I ask you all to please be kind to mothers on here. We are all surviving on little to no sleep. Trying to get through these tough days. Trying to survive the newborn stage. The sleep regressions. The teething stages. The picky eaters. The tantrums. Some are trying to overcome their postpartum depression and anxiety like myself. Some are receiving therapy and help. And I applaud all of you for showing up. For being here. Even if your biggest goal was getting out of bed, or brushing your hair or getting yourself dressed for the day. We are all warriors. We are allowed to have bad days. We are allowed to cry. Please remember that. You aren’t alone

You don’t have to love your body right now, you don’t have to even LIKE it.

How about starting with curiosity? Get curious about what your body does for you every day, curious about what she likes and dislikes, curious about what it feels like to ask her what she needs, and curious about what it feels like to listen.

Get curious about how resilient your body is and how’s she’s been there through everything. For me, it’s all the years of bingeing/restricting cycles that I put my body through...yet she’s still here.

It’s ok to give yourself the space to look at things in different light. Curiosity can be such a powerful act of healing. You might be surprised at how you start to feel about your body when you give yourself permission to get curious.

Here we are 3 months postpartum and my hair is falling out more and more, I have loose skin and my belly button will officially never be the same. I’m still holding onto an extra 10 lbs and hemorrhoids that won’t quit. Working through pp anxiety/depression on the daily. Less sleep, more messes, more diapers, and less me time. But guess what, it is STILL worth 👏🏻 it 👏🏻 all!! I love my babies more than anything in this world! They fill my life with love and purpose and I wouldn’t want it any other way!

These mom's staged a #byefelicia photo shoot when their kids went back to school and now they're going viral

When I first saw this photo I thought “Well, I’m never posting that 😬” — I cringed looking at the cellulite on my legs. ⁣

I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with them. My legs are strong and short. The opposite of what I wanted. No matter how much I workout or diet they never become lean though. I’ll lose my boobs, arms and even belly but legs stay put. ⁣
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Instead of picking myself apart, I decided to remember this day and how much fun we had. How much Ashton loved playing in the pool. How she splashed around and giggled.
I don’t want my daughter to look at herself in the mirror and hate anything. My words and actions towards myself affect her. ⁣I’m more conscious of this.
I love her cute little leg rolls and cellulite why not love my own?!

Milk, sweat, and tears.🤱🏼Being a new mom is a mess no matter how ya spin it!🤷🏼‍♀️ No amount of advice or prep can prepare you for the journey ahead. 😬 Exhibit A: this pic was me at 9 am in the morning. I just discovered these boy shorts to wear over my diapers! Makes me feel way more secure. 😂 From one new mom (literally 10 days in lol) to the next here is what I’ll say... ☝🏻 You’re gonna lose control of your schedule, your social life, and sometimes your sanity lol. 🤪 But in that sweet surrender of your life to your child you’ll gain the greater understanding of grace and love.

I exercised this morning, I ate healthy and nutritious meals, and I drank so much water that I definitely peed every hour on the hour. Proud of myself and this incredible body of mine.

Body image is an important topic to discuss. I’m realizing that now more than ever. But so is health. I’ll always strive to be accepting of my body as long as I’m taking care of it. Because at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what my body looks like but it ABSOLUTELY matters how healthy my body is. I want to be a good example to my kids, and I want to be a strong and healthy parent so I can live as long as possible to be here for them.
Today, I’m a so dang proud of this body of mine. And I vow to try to treat it better both physically and mentally for my children, and for my husband (because they need me), but most importantly for me.

One thing I constantly have to remind myself over the holidays is that it is okay not to be okay. I know we are bombarded by the Hallmark version of what Christmas is supposed to be, but that does not mean that you have to act or be a certain way.
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This can be a stressful time of year, and there are emotional triggers all around us. If you are hurting, give yourself grace and let yourself hurt. If you are happy, do not feel guilty for those feelings. All feelings are valid, so let yourself feel.♥️ .

Last week I opened up about my anxiety going though the holidays for the second time without my mom. Thank you for all of the love and support that came flowing in, I am truly grateful for it. For everyone that shared their stories of loss with me, I am so sorry for the pain you are going though, my heart goes out to each and every one of you. I know that this can be a difficult time of year for some of you, so please take the time you need to feel all of your emotions and remember it is okay to not be okay right now.♥️♥️xo
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Thank you for checking in with me, but now I want to check in with you. How are you feeling right now? How are you doing with the holidays? Please use today to open up, support and encourage anyone and everyone on this thread. The holidays can be though but remember that you are not alone

Hey back rolls,⁣⁣⁣
I’m so sorry for all the times I wanted to take scissors and simply cut you off my body.⁣⁣⁣
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Dear cellulite,⁣⁣⁣
I’m sorry for all the times I thought having you meant I wasn’t doing a good enough job.⁣⁣⁣
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Hi my strong quad friends,⁣⁣⁣
I’m sorry for how I wanted to diminish your power, for all those times I skipped leg days in hopes you would shrink.⁣⁣⁣
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Hey girl,⁣⁣⁣
I’m sorry for all the days I spent hiding because I didn’t think you were worthy in the body you had.⁣⁣⁣
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I am sorry.⁣⁣⁣
And I love you no matter what

Posing can do a lot. Last night I was going down a YouTube rabbit hole watching videos like “How To Pose Like a Model (Even If You Aren’t)” or “Tips for Flattering Instagram Photos.”
It’s just crazy to me how this is a THING in our culture... buying outfits that’ll look “good on the Gram”, watching videos to look “good on the Gram” and spending time trying to look “good on the Gram.”
And don’t get me wrong, I DO THIS. 🤣
Someone left a comment on my pic the other day saying, “the celebrities are not the problem, WE are the problem” and at first it rubbed me the wrong way because what do you mean???
So many celebrities and now “influencers” perpetuate beauty standards but then I realized: whoever left that comment has a point (probably why it rubbed me the wrong way 😅).
To an extent, we do choose what we consume.
Every time we like a photo.
Every time we follow someone.
Every time we buy a product.
Every time we have a CHOICE to do those things.
I do think that it’s a mix of both because sometimes you can’t get away from diet culture and beauty standards no matter how hard you try; it’s just EVERYWHERE.
And it’s even harder if you’re a developing child or teen, it’s natural to want to fit in.
But we, as consumers, as women, as people, have a choice.
And making the harder choice to accept and love ourselves exactly as we are RIGHT NOW is what makes all the change

This is me & my daughter (now 6) walking through our old neighborhood (Longfellow) in Minneapolis. When I was on maternity leave, I'd strap her to my chest and we'd walk the neighborhood streets or browse the aisles of the Lake St. Target (the Target where a cashier once referred to my mom and I as "you people.") The last 5 of our 10 years in Minneapolis was lived in the Longfellow and Central neighborhoods.
I was up until 2 this morning watching, in tears, my old neighborhood burn. All the places we used to go. The Target. The Indian restaurant we loved. Our neighborhood liquor store, where I made Phil buy me Baileys (and Jen & Kyle gave us scarves) after we'd walked 6 miles home in a blizzard because the busses were cancelled. What used to be the bike shop where Phil would get his bike repaired. The place I'd get my nails done. The building that housed the studio where I took flamenco lessons. The Wendy's where we'd get fries sometimes late at night. The Hexagon, where I saw shows and drank with friends and where my choir once sang.
I worried all night for friends who still live in the neighborhood. And what I couldn't get over was the fact that the MPD and these four officers believe so completely in their lack of culpability, they're willing to let the city BURN over it. Four arrests and all of this would stop, but they're silent as statues. I'm so sickened and heartbroken, but this feels like what I hope is a long-awaited turning point.
I'll say it and say it and say it: BLACK LIVES MATTER.

To the mama’s, papa’s, dreamers, visionary’s, SAHM etc. out there, kudos to you! For going so hard, for not quitting even on the worse days, even on the tired days, even on the days you don’t know how you’re going to do it, or don’t feel like you can. You know it’s okay to have some patience, grace, and forgiveness with yourself right? .
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Our children are the future. I had to learn to give myself some grace, sometimes evaluating and not being exactly where I want to be or could’ve been by this time frustrates me, or gets me down, I’m so hard on myself. But then I realized if the ONLY good thing I’ve done or successfully done is raised great children I am in fact doing well.!! *Parents it’s so important how we raise our children, and many of you KNOW that is not the easiest task.
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There are so many different aspects on this one topic. First their confidence, self love, etc is so important for them to know who they are, so when they encounter times and people that aren’t so kind they are not completely crushed. .
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Secondly, Think about who you’re putting into the world. Do you remember your heartbreak[s], or some of the sh*%$y people you’ve come across and thought who raised them? Or even just encountered a child that needed a hug or just some TLC. It’s Important!
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Third but not last, for the dreamer or the visionary. What we are working so hard for yes, we may in fact get to live in that but it may also be in the building for our children. As we are building a future for them. Show yourself a little love.