Loving the Real You

I style women for events and weddings. With this comes the harsh reality of how hard we women are on ourselves. I hear “body grips” every day from women of all shapes and sizes.

Yesterday a woman dramatically came in waling “I’m a size bigger then last time….I’m soooooo FAT!!!”


She continued on with her pity party claiming that I would never find anything that would look good on her for the gala she was attending. But guess what? She left that day with not one but FOUR dresses that looked absolutely fabulous on her.

I’m not sure why some women are so hard on themselves. I think it may have to do with our “culture of thin”. Women see the magazines and watch the commercials where impossibly beautiful (and air brushed) gals strut their stuff. Women buy into thinking if they just bought this or did that they would be thinner and there for better people.


The diet industry has exploded because of the insecurity of women coupled with the desire to be thin. What isn’t mentioned is how emancipated stars and models look in real life. Their rib cages and droopy eyes are edited out of the ads. Their lack luster skin is airbrushed to perfection. And this is how we desire to look? That is no way to live, trust me, I’ve been there.


I make it no secret that I struggled mightily with an eating disorder. Recovery was difficult when I had society shoving all these unrealistic images in my face. But when I stepped away from the magazines and the TV ads and took a look at real women…I noticed how fantastic we all are no matter what our size. I started to realize that imperfections are what make us unique. We wouldn’t be special if we all looked like super models.


So today I’d like anyone who is reading this to stand proud. Don’t think about what life would be like if you could “just lose 5 pounds” or if you were somebody different. Lift your head high because you are a unique creation. You are exactly the way God intended you to be. Dare to love yourself!


Don’t like society tell you how you should look and act.


As the great Dr. Sues said-


“Be yourself because the people who mind don't matter and the people who matter won't mind.”