Shushing our Inner Voice

​I’m excited about getting a Spray tan but I have to apologize for the condition of my…. 
 
You name it.   I’ve had women, really accomplished, successful, amazing women, apologize for perceived imperfections ranging from chipped pedicures to greying roots (and everything in-between).  I was surprised at first and then I realized that I was doing the same thing when I was getting sprayed by my own daughter!  I’d say things like…ughh, excuse my stomach, I shouldn’t have had the pasta last night or I really have to get to the waxing place this week, I look like a Yeti.  Apologize, apologize, apologize but why?  Why are we apologizing??
 
 We’ve all read the articles, seen the news shows talking about body image and how we are all impacted by the unrealistic images presented throughout the media.  I agree that’s part of it.  But I also think it’s the unrealistic truths we have in our own heads that get us there faster than anything.  The perception that we alone are missing some sort of standard that everyone else seems to be hitting or closer to then we are (NOT).  And this goes beyond just body image, it goes into other parts of our lives as well, our various jobs (Employee, Mom, Caretaker); Our family/home life and so on and so on.  So, I’ve decided to create a Shuuuuuusssssh list for myself to counter the voices in my head.  I’m sure I’ll need to add more down the line but here is where I am today!
 
Theresa’s Shhhhhuuuuuuussssshhhh List

1. Your not-flat stomach was created through many outings with friends and family enjoying amazing food and wine. No one really cares if your stomach is flat; only if your personality is!
2. Everybody else’s kids are not smarter, better behaved, accomplished and more wonderful then yours. That’s only on Facebook.
3. Your body type is your body type; don’t judge yourself against unsustainable sizes.  Channel Meghan Trainor “My momma she told me don’t worry about your size… she says boy’s like a little more booty to hold at night.”
4. Wrinkles, dimples, lines…EVERYONE has them; they just may be hiding them better.
5. Everyone has a “I don’t know” Elf in their house that creates piles, dirty dishes, messy floors and empty boxes in the pantry.  For fun, name your Elf! (Oh, right you already did at birth!)
6. You are not the only one who has converted their “8 glasses a day” from water to wine.
7. Those woman you know who seem to have everything together, all the time, everyday…probably think the same of you.
8. You are not the only one who gets take out for herself when everyone else isn’t around and eats it in her car before she gets home.
9. Don’t beat yourself up when your “I’ll be good during the week and only binge on the weekend” comes to a screeching halt by 5 p.m. on Monday.
10. For everything you think you haven’t done; counter it with what you have.  Guaranteed it looks like this:  haven’t < have.

 
 
As life is not perfect; neither are any of us.  Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves of that….