Does Cellulite Make My Smile Less JOY-FILLED?
Does CELLULITE make my smile any less JOY-FILLED? Sounds like a ridiculous question, doesn't it? I mean, what in heck does cellulite have to do with my smile?? What does cellulite have to do with my capacity to love? What does cellulite have to do with my damn laughter!!
Here's the answer: EVERYTHING... and nothing at all.
Yesterday I posted this picture to Instagram and Facebook with the following caption:
It was the most liked photograph I've EVER posted to Instagram... and I've posted 358 pictures to Instagram. As of this minute, that photo has reached over 9000 people on Facebook (update - 27,500 on Facebook). If you know anything about organic reach on a FB business page, that number is INSANE, given my relatively small "following".
What that tells me is that I AM NOT ALONE.
It tells me that though the world sees us from the Inside-Out, we see ourselves from the Outside-In.
Others see our beauty and grace and kindness and laughter... despite our perceived "imperfections". They see us play with our kids, love our partners, and be ambassadors of bliss and beauty. They apply that perception to the whole of us. They see beauty.
We see our flaws. Our imperfections. Our saggy boobies, fluffy tummies, cellulite-y thighs and jiggly arms. We take that image and give it value. And then we take that value and we apply it to the whole of us. We see flaws.
I'm sorry ladies... but WHAT THE HELL?
It needs to stop, and it needs to STOP NOW!
Easier said then done, right? I get it.
Anything that's wicked wicked hard takes a shit-ton of practice, and that practice MUST start right this very minute. I'm not messing around, either. RIGHT THIS MINUTE!
The next time you receive a compliment, I want you to smile graciously (even if it's a little bit fake) and say "thank you". NO REBUTTAL. NOTHING. NOT A DAMN WORD. (Unless of course, it's to gush over whatever it is they are complimenting you on.)
But NO disclaimers. No denying their truth. No excuses. No crooked looks.
Just sit with it. KNOW that they are seeing you from the Inside-Out.
When somebody compliments your dress, know that it's really NOT ABOUT THE DRESS!! It's about how you carry yourself in that dress. It's your grace and laughter and kindness and love - all wrapped up into one little ball - and the dress is simply the vehicle for that compliment.
Part of me wants to say... "If not for you, do it for your kids. Set an example."
But I'm not gonna say that. I'm gonna say this instead:
DO IT FOR YOU!!
Don't get your panties in a bunch (crass, but one of my favorite expressions!) but think about how ridiculous it is to say, "just do it for your kids".
We OF COURSE want our kids to see themselves as beautiful. We OF COURSE DO NOT want our kids to become paralyzed by negative body image/perception. We OF COURSE want our kids to grow up to be healthy, confident and loving beings. BUT DON'T YOU WANT THAT FOR YOURSELF TOO??
Kids are perceptive, and they'll know if you're "doing it for them". They might not see it when they're younger, but as they get older, they'll call your bluff.
I'm not an expert, but I'm practicing. And I'm getting better.
A year ago, I would have NEVER posted that picture. A year ago, I would have resisted the urge to say "but look at my thighs" FOR MY KIDS, but this time, I DID IT FOR ME.
Since we're all in this together, I present to you this CHALLENGE!
INSIDE-OUT BEAUTY CHALLENGE
- DO NOT deny the compliment
- Smile and say "thank you"
- Relish in the fact that they truly SEE YOU, from the Inside-Out
- LEAVE ME A COMMENT, AND TELL ME THAT YOU'RE IN!!
I expect a FULL inbox with comment notifications in the next few days!! And I promise to respond to every single one of you.
And pretty please, share this post on Facebook, or with your bestest gal pal, if she too needs to be reminded of her beauty and grace.
Let's do this together.
So much love and kindness to you, xo Stasia
PS. This is the kind of content we cover in Stasia's Style School, because let's face it, SOOO MUCH of knowing and owning YOUR STYLE has NOTHING to do with the clothes!