For the longest time I have felt very unhappy with my body. I think a lot of women my age experience it; not looking like what you think Instagram wants you to, suddenly jeans not fitting right, feeling a bit like a potato in everything you wear (no? Just me then). But recently I have been trying my hardest to give myself a little bit of extra love.It started with giving myself a good talking to. My legs, chubby though they are, at least still carry me throughout my life. My head, although looks like a bit like the moon without contour, holds a brain I am proud of. My hands, although not slender and dainty, let me create. I suppose it’s the age old truth of loving what you’ve got. Sure, I would like to loose a little weight here and there, would like slightly smoother skin or bouncier hair, but that’s just not be right now. Right now I am what I am and I can’t keep knocking that. Continuously bashing and putting myself down doesn’t lead to a better blog or the perfect social media. What does is happiness, confidence and self awareness. Being more ok with who I am is my aim at the moment. I don’t think I can go the whole hog just yet and love every inch of me (I know plenty of incredible women who can, and I admire that from the bottom of my heart). But what I can do is just be at ease. I’m 25 now. I am where I am in life. I look how I look. Giving that me, the real me, a little bit of extra love here and there can’t hurt now can it?
The next little kindness I done myself it gave my wardrobe a little TLC. I had been holding on to so many items that I’d like to fit into one day. They hung in my closet, unloved, a forever reminder of who I wasn’t yet. So out with the old, in with the new.
I picked up a couple of items, including this lovely wrap around number by Miss Selfridge, and boy has it put a spring in my step. If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll know just before Christmas I started a new job. The main struggle with this new job? I haven’t got a uniform anymore. I know that sounds strange, but suddenly having so many options, having to style yourself everyday when you can’t stand looking at your body was a bit problem. So now, I’ve found just having a couple of simple, go-to items in my wardrobe has taken the stress out of getting ready for the day.
I have also gone for some new underwear. The Marie Padded Underwired Longline Bra from Hunkemoller has been one of my absolutely favourites. I hadn’t ever tried any of their underwear before, so I tried their Perfect Fit Calculator to help me choose the right size and I can’t believe what a simple bra change can do for the confidence! By having a good fitting, comfortable, pretty bra like this one has totally changed how I get dressed in the morning. It’s a hidden confidence, one that is just under the surface, just enough to give me a boost and help me on my way to loving myself properly again.
Do you have or do anything to give yourself a hidden confidence boost? I’d love to know and try your tips out for myself, let me know in the comments below!
Sam
unpaid post, all opinions are my own, contains gifted items