Hey there, fellow moms! Can I share something important with you? Even if you’re feeling uneasy about your body right now, I urge you to allow others to take your picture. I completely understand how challenging this can be. For me, accepting my appearance in photos was the ultimate hurdle in my journey toward body positivity.
While I found it relatively easy to appreciate my reflection in the mirror, letting go of fashion norms and embracing what I love to wear was a breeze. I proudly rock bikinis, form-fitting leggings, off-the-shoulder tops, and colorful outfits. I even sport a bold red lip just to pick up my kid from school, because why not? However, when it came to photos, that was a different story entirely.
For years, I struggled to recognize the person captured in photographs. It felt as if I ballooned the moment the camera clicked. Was that really what my back looked like? Where did those extra chins come from? My arms looked completely different! It was a tough time, and I despised it.
But eventually, I learned to view myself through the lens of a camera. At first, it felt strange, much like hearing my own voice on a recording. Over time, however, I became accustomed to it, and now I genuinely enjoy seeing photos of myself. If I don’t love how I look, it’s rarely about my size—sometimes, my expression just needs a little work!
Regrettably, there are countless years of my life filled with only selfies or photos of me from the shoulders up, and I wish I had more full-length shots to look back on. Our culture promotes unrealistic beauty standards that can lead you to think your body isn’t good enough. But remember, it’s your body! You live in it, nurture others with it, and have survived challenges in it. Why would you wish it looked like someone else’s?
It’s time to recognize the absurdity of the perfectionist ideals we’ve been sold. Diet culture is toxic, and breaking free from it is essential. You’ve faced countless obstacles just to reach this moment. Your body reflects your unique journey, and it’s worthy of being captured in photos.
I won’t sugarcoat it—accepting your body won’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that requires peeling away the layers of shame that society has imposed on us. This can be painful and time-consuming, but while you’re on this journey, please allow others to take your picture.
Your family wants to remember you as you are right now. You might feel more comfortable asking your partner to take candid shots of you or only want to be photographed when you’re ready. You could even enlist a professional photographer with an eye for capturing genuine moments. We do family photo sessions every couple of years, and I adore our recent ones. I’ve been revisiting them daily since we got them back. They’re filled with joyful moments of me laughing and connecting with my kids, reminding me that I’m doing this motherhood thing right.
No matter how you choose to document your life, just take that first step. Step out from behind the camera and be present with the people who love you. You might not love the photos immediately, and that’s okay. You don’t have to share them on social media or even look at them right away if it feels too daunting. Just ensure they exist.
With the constant access to our cameras, it’s easy to snap so many photos that we forget to savor the moment. But amidst being present, remember that we have the opportunity to capture our memories and freeze them in time. One day, those photos will serve as a testament to the love we shared. It would be a shame to let body insecurities prevent you from being part of your family’s beautiful story.
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In summary, embrace your body and don’t let shame hold you back from being part of your family’s cherished memories. You are beautiful, just as you are.