I had another post scheduled for today, but I wanted to deal with these negative feelings head on. Because why wait to make yourself feel better, right? Right.
I went bra shopping on Tuesday and it wasn't the most pleasant experience.
Thoughts of, "Ooh... maybe I should budget for a little surgical oomph"
and "Oh no. Oh no oh no this is bad" came into my head a few (hundred) times.
I get it: I'm a horrible role model of body image and I need an attitude adjustment.
It's a slow and at times frustrating process, but I'm trying.
Anyway...
After a day of Greek food, macarons, and bra shopping (real bad combination)
I came home and looked at these photos from Monterey and thought:
"I can do stuff. I like that. I probably can do a lot of stuff I don't realize."
So instead of focusing on how my body looks, I thought I would focus on what it can do.
My body can:
do the splits
jump high in the air
spin and not fall
do handstands
out push-up most people
bowl left-handed
recover from illnesses
give amazing back rubs
dance on the beach in skinny jeans
What can your body do?
32 comments:
Not half as much as yours!
I'm the other way, I had myself measured for a bra on Sunday and have gone up a cup size, I can't stand it, there's a reason why you never see me side on in my pics, I look so unbalanced and out of proportion, I would love to have a flatter more elegant look. I used to get asked all the time by oafs, "Are those real?"
My body can...
...keep up with my 3-year-old nephew for hours at the playground! :)
Can we just talk about how annoying having big boobs is? bras are more expensive & my shoulders ALWAYS hurt! Last weekend, I decided that when I'm done with school, I'm going to make them smaller.
You know, Tif, you really , really need to buy a better mirror. Ikea has a half-dome silver one $99 that is good. I honestly don't think you have a need for any surgeries - of any sorts and types. I dreamed my entire life of a smaller chest area, so that I COULD wear a leotard withOUT a bra, so that it wouldn't hurt , even WITH the bra, and the best ever - so thta I don't have to constantly adjust my bra because it rides up - boobs are heavy , you know... I think your body looks wonderful. Have you read "French Women Don't Get Fat"? If you haven't go to B&N , find it , BUY it and READ IT. It's a gourment eater heaven that so simply shows their very easy , working, REAL LIFE secrets that help to achieve and/or maintain the model body. You were in France , you saw those women :) I lived there, and everything that book says is true through and through. Added bonus - recipes are amazing :)
You must stop beating yourself up. Forever. XOXOXOXO
PS: the reason I wrote about the mirror : how you SEE yourself is how you THINK you are and how you will CONtiNUE to see yourself. You'll be amazed what a GOOD mirror will do to your life. And think about THIS: what you see is NOTHING but your imagination - EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US sees things differently : it's simply how your particular eye focuses and depending on a position (AND position defines LIGHTING ) and then projects an image. And have you heard of such a thing as BAD lighting? I NEVER , EVER, EVER took pictures of myself until I learned that I ALWAYS took them with wrong lighting that makes one look 20 lbs bigger and 10 inches shorter while 15 inches wider. It's really all about physics. But the truth is that there is no REAL image out there - so why not to buy a mirror that you like and when you do, never underestimate the power of the mind. I'll just stop there. Just think about it. :)
I love this reminder!! It's so much better to be amazed at your body than to be critical of it. Good for you for being able to change your mindset on this.
Kate
Something Ivory
Lord, not half as much as yours!
Not only can we do stuff, we're also (fairly) healthy and got all our limbs... The most important thing of all! xo
Tiffany! I didn't realize yesterday was so hard. I'm sorry.
@Steph- don't be sorry! It was all me. And I blame those horrible bras. Sassy, but horrible, haha!
I was actually just in Monterey this weekend. This is such a cute post. I like that you can dance on the beach in skinny jeans.
there's nothing like bra/jean/bathing suit shopping to make an Amazing girl feel bad about herself. but i LOVE this! it's exactly the kind of focus that we all need. so... my body can: dance, run, hula hoop, speak its own language, heal, wrestle with my german shepherd, react faster than i can think, skip, create, & connect me with others.
So missed reading ur blog!!! U are so inspirational.My body can keep up with my 6 & 14 year old with no problems!!!
You have an amazing body, Tiffany!
My body can: carry children, recover from surgeries, run a little bit further every day, walk all over, carry groceries and books and a sleepy little boy, dance, splash, hug, speak volumes without me having to say a word.
This is an amazing post, and I'm so glad you shared. My body can sing crazy high notes, and whenever I'm feeling like I'm nothing special, a trip to the piano makes me feel so much better about what I can do!
NO SURGERY! ack! YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! you and your body do everything that they need to! and you/they do it well!
i have too much boob, but it is in proportion to my bod, so whatever. i have TROUBLE finding bras (well, not too much trouble, but my size isn't in most places), especially really pretty lingerie-type bras.
OH! and my boobs are asymmetrical, so there! sometimes it bugs me, but then i just move along because it isn't worth dwelling on -- it is what it is!
I think we all go through body image issues and at least you've shifted to focusing on the positive. I'm sure if you asked Mr. Branflake, he'd have a lot of great things to say as well.
Rowena @ rolala loves
love this post! So wonderful!
love love love this post! Bowl left handed?! hahaha so cute!
xx
b
HAHA! I have been to Nordstrum TWICE this week sorting out bra issues. Not to mention was JUST thinking how I can surgically fix some stuff to save money on bras! Girl I feel you. HOWEVER! After seeing you dance live I can testify of the warm feeling of positively beaming with PRIDE that you are my friend. "Hey, I know that girl that can do awesome ballet stuff!". Needless to say its an awesome feeling to have a friend who knows how to do some really awesome stuff!
<3
PS. Maybe when we're old we can save up and get boob jobs together!
Ah! ... the old bra issues.. Great message here today and I'm impressed with all those moves :)
I appreciate and love your honesty in your posts. I feel the same about my hips and I go diving into ice cream. But I know my body can do a cute swing dance turl, can crack almost every joint (haha), can hold a baby for a long time with my hips, and give great hugs.
Bowl left handed? NICE!
Hmmm...I can drive a stick! (Manual transmission that is...)
I LOVE THIS! I have personally embraced my small (non-existant?) boobs. : )
I can reach really high. Because I'm tall. I get asked all the time to reach stuff for other people at the grocery store. That's pretty cool. : )
Such a good post. And such a refreshing way of looking at things. :)
Tif, you're awesome! And women all over the world would kill for a body like yours.
And for a body as capable as yours.
And besides, big boobs on really skinny girls always looks a bit unnatural anyway. You don't want that kind of weight distribution and disturbed center of gravity!
; )
so so stunning!! LOVE THIS :)
xx
natalieoffduty.blogspot.com
I wish it could do more, believe me. I can't even imagine doing what yours can do. Quite honestly the past few days it's hurt my calves to walk 2 avenues. LOL. Gorgeous pix! xoxo
I work in a hospital, and all the patients I see in wheelchairs would love to have a body like yours (or even mine), so rejoice and embrace the beautiful gifts you've been given! :) Love the photos.
i love this! it's such a sad thing when we get stuck on what we don't have or what we can't do.
such a good reminder! love you!
So I was so convinced I had already commented on this post. Probably because I read it and wrote a comment in my head and forgot to let that writing flow to my fingertips. But I love what your body can do, and I love what mine can do too. Mine likes to dance silly dances and walk for miles and tell me when it's hungry and what it wants, and so much more.
my dear i found your blog via your comment on the Alt site...it is such a beautiful blog...
your posts on body image...brought me to tears... The thought of someone as absolutely beautiful as you and a dancer yet...would have body image issues...
Being in my 50's and having spent most of my life in the hellish struggle that is body image...complete with the requisite eating disorders...it breaks my heart to hear of your struggle...
your writing and open dialogue is important work...not only for you...but for others. For if someone with your beauty and grace and talent struggles...what is it for the rest of us...
thank you for your honest and thought provoking posts...
I send you warm wishes and a prayer that you may grow to see your own divine beauty.
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