When it comes to being a woman, there are a lot of unspoken insecurities that often circle our minds. Lies about what’s attractive, what’s not, our self-worth, our physical image and our ability to “look the part” of a confident woman.
For some ladies, these identity struggles are the making of a life-long internal battle against themselves. For others, though, like blogger Meredith Masony, there is freedom to be found from the negative self-talk that’s holding you captive.
As she explains on Facebook, the best thing she ever did for herself was find herself.
“When I was in my early twenties I was super critical of my body. I was never satisfied with my looks. I wanted to be thinner, tighter, and I wanted breast implants. Now that I’m 36, I have to laugh. I wasn’t able to appreciate my body back then. I think part of that was because I didn’t really know who I was. I was insecure and lacked confidence.
Over the past 12 years my body has drastically changed. I have had 3 children and 4 surgeries. My nipples have been eviscerated by breastfeeding. My tummy looks a bit Frankensteinish. I have cellulite and stretch marks.
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I used to hate when my husband would squeeze my waist or thighs while we were in bed together. I would cringe if he wanted to leave the lights on. I was so afraid of my imperfections being seen.
While I was getting ready for church this morning I looked in the mirror and saw a sea of gray in my hair. I thought, ‘I’ve earned this. I’m OK with this.’
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I am so happy that I am now able to embrace those imperfections and welcome these changes.
As women I think it is very important that we own our bodies. We need to own our personalities. We need to own our choices. I have learned to love myself. As a result of loving myself, my relationship with my husband is stronger. My relationship with my children is stronger. I am able to take risks simply because I can. Guess what… so can you!
You can learn to love yourself. You can learn to find happiness. If you are struggling please know that you are not alone. Your insecurities do not need to rule your life. You are enough. You are beautiful. Your imperfections make you amazing. They make you strong. They make you courageous and unstoppable.
The best thing I ever did for myself was find myself. If you are lost, I promise you are still in there. Keep searching. Take the time to listen to the voice in your head and give yourself the benefit of the doubt. You are enough. You are beautiful. You are perfectly imperfect.”
It’s not uncommon for women to struggle with the same insecurities Meredith talks about in her post. But there is hope in knowing that freedom awaits. We were never created to believe terrible things about ourselves—to think of our body as disgusting or our shape to be repulsive.
Share Meredith’s words with a woman in your life today, and together, we can lift each other up.
