Me. Also me. Seconds apart.

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First thing I want to preface is BODY IMAGE issues affect all shapes, sizes, height, gender, etc. I’ve had people message me and say “you don’t know what it’s like or how it feels to be overweight and struggle with that”. No but struggle is struggle. Human is human. I do know what it’s like to struggle with my own body issues. Instead of belittling someone try keeping an open mind that they may be struggling in a different way but it’s a struggle nonetheless.

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You know those warnings on the car mirrors. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. Keep a warning in mind — images on social media may be different than in reality. EVERYTHING ON social media is NOT reality.

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For me as a kid it was those bodies featured on magazine covers, tv, billboards etc. TODAY it’s so much more saturated with social media platforms.I cringe at the competition and expectation the younger generation have put upon themselves with these “idea and ideals”. I’ve found MYSELF many times letting the thought cross my mind of not being good enough PLENTY of times JUST FROM a social media image. For me. Years ago it lead to body image issues and insecurities I struggled with. Now I’ve learned to push it out as fast as it comes in (sometimes it takes more time and effort — that’s human nature — but your mind is a powerful tool and you can overcome those thoughts).

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Soooo remember. A lot of social media is a highlight reel and it isn’t real —>Perfection isn’t 24/7. There are all of those false perfection techniques —> Filters. Angles. Lighting. Hold you breath. Exhale all the way. Etc etc.

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My goal is to keep it real. You won’t see me putting on makeup or doing my hair to just post a photo of myself here. Heck. Half the time I forget to look at myself before I leave the house to only discover an hour later what I hot mess I look like. #lovemeforme you get the real deal 😆

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My goal is to share and reach my tribe of people. The glitz and glam and perfection on the gram truthfully can make ME more discouraged and self conscious SO I try to post tried and true shares of the real me. Living more transparent. My posts and messages are done with thought and hopes to reach someone that can relate to what I’m sharing, feel like they can believe and trust me to help them on whatever journey we are on.

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I’m a postpartum Momma here (#10monthspostpartum) on her #postpartumjourney. No rush. No stress to be a certain #. Just along for the ride. Honoring my body. A complete 180 in mental shift than my first time postpartum 5yrs ago. I am welcoming progress as it comes VS getting upset that it’s *not here* yet…in time it will be (goal anyway is #strongnotskinny). So here I am. Seconds apart. Relaxed vs flexed. Many may have just posted the flexed image….but I’m sharing my baby pooch pride.