Today's Wildflower Magazine Feature talks Body image, self love, redefining beauty while embracing imperfection as well as life lessons she had learned along the way
Body Image & Self-Love: The media constantly bombards us with beauty standards. How do you cultivate a positive body image and practice self-love?
"After having my first child at 20 years old my body drastically changed, it was really hard to accept my body for what it was after giving birth because I didn’t have the body most people my age had. As I grew and had another child I finally started finding myself again in my late 20’s. I started dressing how I felt confident instead of trying to hide myself. Now I’ve learned that confidence is what makes a person beautiful. I’m now 30 and have never been more confident or felt so beautiful. I look at my scars, stretch marks, and the little signs of aging and know what my body has been through and I love it for what it’s been able to do for me."
Redefining Beauty: Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. How do you define beauty for yourself, and what message do you want to send to younger generations?
"For myself, beauty is confidence. I want younger generations to know that they don’t have to fit in any sort of mold or follow any mainstream ideas to be beautiful. Find what you love and rock it with confidence and you will be beautiful."
Embracing Imperfection: The pursuit of perfection can be exhausting. Have you learned to embrace imperfection and celebrate your unique journey?
"I love my imperfections because they make me who I am, they show the story of my life. I have stretch marks from my knees to my chest from growing my 2 beautiful children. I have a scar from surgery. I show them off with confidence just like I do my tattoos. They’re a part of me that will be there forever. They tell the story of my life."
Lessons Learned: Looking back, what is the single most important life lesson you've learned? How will you carry it forward to inspire others?
"The biggest lesson I’ve learned in life is to set boundaries and stick up for myself. I spent years letting people walk all over me and not putting myself as a priority. I will never let anyone walk all over me or use me or change who I am as a person again. I want my voice to be heard and respected."
Me in a nutshell
"I met my husband of 11 years when I was 17, got married at 18, had my daughter at 20 and my son at 24. I started finding myself outside of the title of mom over the last year and a half and never looked back. I started treating my anxiety and getting that under control and I started loving my body and what it’s done for me. I started dressing how I feel confident. I turned 30 recently and have never been more confident and happy. I finally started setting boundaries and taking time for myself without feeling the dreaded mom guilt. I went straight from child to wife to mom and now I’m finding me again!"
0 Comments