Empowering Self-Love: Embracing Your Natural Body

Chapter 1: My Journey to Embracing My Body

Recently, I did something I never thought I would. Before sharing the details, let me provide a bit of context about myself.

I’m a wife, mother, employee, and writer. I exercise several times a week and generally maintain a healthy lifestyle, but I also have what many refer to as a "mom bod." Yes, I possess thicker thighs, sagging breasts, and a soft belly adorned with stretch marks that look like streaks of fire. Additionally, I've undergone a few surgeries, leaving me with scars. And of course, there’s cellulite.

For a long time, I despised my body. I truly did. Throughout the summer, I opted for baggy clothing to conceal what I viewed as imperfections. Social media only intensified my anxiety as I scrolled past images of fit models flaunting the latest athletic apparel. Shopping became a source of frustration; I would fall in love with an outfit only to feel disheartened when I tried it on.

This mindset was unhealthy. Over the past few months, I began to focus on self-improvement. I didn’t alter my diet or exercise routine, as I was already taking care of my health. Instead, I started incorporating new practices into my life.

Daily Affirmations

Numerous articles discuss the transformative power of daily affirmations. Rather than reiterating the scientific background, I want to share what I personally did with the insights I gained. Each morning, I would jot down one thing I appreciated about myself in a notebook, and I repeated this at night. This simple act began to shift my outlook. Here are a few affirmations I’ve written down (and still practice daily):

You are a caring mother.
I admire your dedication and hard work.
Your smile is infectious (it really is!).
Your body looks great today!
You are cherished and loved by your family.

These affirmations serve as reminders of my worth.

Mirror Work

I committed to looking at myself in the mirror, fully unclothed, every day. You may wonder why I would do this. The truth is, societal pressures had distorted my self-image. Initially, I felt repulsed as my gaze fixated on perceived flaws. However, I gradually learned to reframe my perspective. Whenever I noticed an area I was dissatisfied with, I began to reflect on my life experiences and achievements. For instance, my stretch marks signify the journey of bringing life into the world. They are not blemishes; they are marks of honor—testaments to the incredible experience of motherhood.

And those sagging breasts? They tell the story of a woman who has lived and loved. While I might wish they were perky, I recognize that they are a natural part of my journey. I could opt for surgery to change them, but I embrace the authenticity of my body. So yes, I love my soft, bouncy breasts!

Over time, I began to see my body as a narrative. This transformation was gradual, taking weeks and months to internalize the idea that my body is uniquely mine and reflects my life’s story. I may not resemble a magazine cover model, but I’ve come to ap