Life Lessons From My Daughter: Beautiful Imperfections

{Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Aveeno through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Aveeno all opinions are my own.}
When it comes to seasons, I’m not gonna lie…summer isn’t really my favorite. Of course I love the warm, sunny weather (especially as a Pacific Northwesterner – peace out rain!), but what I don’t love is the whole less layers business. If I’m being totally honest, I have quite a lot of body hang-ups. When I look in the mirror, I see a sad, stretched out tummy, droopy breasts and legs that are – in my opinion – a bit too muscular. On top of all of those things I also suffer from psoriasis, which until recently was limited to my scalp, but recently decided to start showing up on my knees and elbows too…you know…those parts of the body that aren’t typically under-cover during the summer months. Sometimes it can feel a bit daunting, this idea that there are so many imperfections I have to think about hiding.
In my vanity, I tend to obsess over all the things that I dislike, but now that I have a young daughter of my own, I’ve become more and more aware that little eyes are watching me all the time. She is seeing the way I present myself and hearing the way I speak about my body and these things in turn are shaping the way she views her own body. Right now she views her body as an amazing vessel that enables her to do some pretty amazing things…
Life Lessons From My Daughter: Beautiful Imperfections // via The  Little Things We Do
“Mama! Look at my tippy toes! See how they help me twirl so fast!”
“Mama! Look how strong my arms are when I hang on this bar!”
“Mama! My legs are so long! They make me jump so high!”
She doesn’t get preoccupied about what her tummy looks like in a tutu. She truly believes that she is strong and beautiful. I want to be more like her and here’s how I’m getting there:
Step 1: Embrace all of my own beautiful imperfections!
I am trying to remind myself to find the beauty in my imperfections. That stretched out tummy? It housed an 8 pound 7 ounce baby girl and then a 10 pound 8 ounce baby boy. The saggy skin and the stretch marks are badges of honor. Those less-than-perky breasts? They nourished life by feeding two little people, for two-and-a-half years combined (and counting…). And those psoriasis spots? Well, while I’ll admit that they are a bit more challenging to embrace, they were also a result of my hormone fluctuations after having my children, so I’m trying to be OK with them. They’re just part of life and I’m not the only one in the world to ever deal with it. All of these things that I am so critical about just aren’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. I am healthy and strong and I have a wonderful life – that is what is beautiful.
Step 2: Make the best of what I’ve got!
I may not be wearing a string, triangle bikini anytime soon (slash/ever again), but that doesn’t mean I need to rock a mumu all summer long or hiding out when it’s time to take my kids to the pool or lake. High waisted bikinis are totally a thing right now, so I jumped on the band wagon. It may not look as perfect as it does on those VS angel models, but as long as I can feel confident having fun with my kids then I’ve achieved success.
Life Lessons From My Daughter: Beautiful Imperfections // via The  Little Things We Do
I’ve also learned that staying moisturized really helps when it comes to my psoriasis. Having a good lotion can really calm down the look of it, which makes me feel a lot less self-conscious about it. I’ve really been enjoying AVEENO® DAILY MOISTURIZING SHEER HYDRATION LOTION. I need something really moisturizing to hydrate my dry patches, but since it’s summer I don’t want to be stuck slathering on something super thick and heavy. This strikes the perfect balance. (Also, please note, this is me embracing the imperfections of a chippy pedicure and bruised up legs. Practicing what I preach!)
Life Lessons From My Daughter: Beautiful Imperfections // via The Little Things We Do
Here’s to a summer filled with embracing our beautiful imperfections and embracing what we’ve got!
xo
Lauren

Comments

  1. kelsey_tish says:

    Embracing our bodies is hard… why is it so hard?!

    And from one PNWerner to another, I must know, where did you get the bathing suit bottom, i LOVE it!

  2. Yes, where is that fantastic bathing suit from?!

  3. Elizabeth says:

    That was beautiful, and no doubt hits home with many of us. I don’t have children so don’t have those badges of honor but we all have more than a few imperfections and rather than hiding them, we should remember they come with a history that makes us who we are today. Thank you for sharing.

  4. I just read this post for a second time and it is so well written. I feel strongly that us mamas need to talk about stuff like this more. And being a good role model for our daughters is huge.
    Thanks for being so honest and sharing!
    xoxo

Leave a Comment

*