Have you ever stood in front of a mirror, crying and thinking nothing about you is the way it should be? It’s just not right. Have you cursed your thin lips or big boobs or skinny legs with accompanying knobby knees? If you have, I’ve got some good advice for you. I wish I could take credit for it, but I can’t. I can tell you where I got it, though.
I’ve been following You Tubers who show off clothing hauls to lean how to dress and as part of my self-development. I found a few girls who are built almost like me and I watch them to see how different styles look on them. I can drool over a dress on one of the websites, but it’s not gonna look the same on my short 14-16 arse as it does on the size 2 model. So I like looking at real life models who mimic my build.
One of those gals I happened upon who is NOT built like me (but I stayed with her) is a wonderful stylist named Alisha. She has a You Tube channel called Ten Ways To Wear It. She takes a piece or a style and gives you lots of styling options. I absolutely love the way she puts outfits together! Alisha is one of the most stylish gals I’ve ever seen!!!! So one day I was looking for something to listen to and she was doing a Vlog where she was on a beach, I think, and she gave out some advice on self-confidence. One of the things she said damn near knocked me over. She said, “Acknowledge your faults so no one can use them against you.” My life has never been quite the same since those words hit my ears. So I’m gonna get it out there for me, top to bottom. And make sure you go follow Alisha. I’ve linked her at the beginning of the paragraph.
Lousy Hair/No Eyebrows
When my hair fell out, my eyebrows went with them. My hair is growing back. The brows are being stubborn. Eyebrows frame your face. My face has no frame unless I draw or temp tattoo one on.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
My face has lined with age. You may not be there yet but, trust me, yours will, too, in time. TAKE CARE OF IT NOW!!!! I always took care of my skin or it would be much worse. I’d look like one of those chicks in my generation who worshiped the sun with nothing but baby oil and now looks like they need a good ironing.
Big Nose
My father’s family has big schnozzes. Not much I can do about it. And as we age, they get larger and the pores get bigger. Oh joy! I’m working on those pores.
Thin Lips
My lips were never very plump and sensual but age has taken most of what I had away. I’m very careful with lipstick application, using mostly gloss. And as far as hot, sexy red lips go. . . nope. I look like a vampire on a binge. UGH
Flying Squirrel Arms
Sadly, my upper arms are BIG. . . you know, the kind that are still waving at you long after you’re out of the county? I’ve learned some poses to kinda tuck them in, but. . . yuck. I know gals who have had their arms surgically corrected. According to them, it’s SUPER painful and SUPER expensive. So, sadly, Rocky will be flying on.
Short fingers
At the end of those flying squirrel arms are short fingers. I have relatively small hands, but those stubby fingers. . . and I don’t function well with really long nails to extend the look. This is one of those that I can’t do much about.
Jabba the Gut
I was always a thick rectangle shape with not much of a waisted line. But after a lot of trouble resulting in around 30 abdominal surgeries, Jabba is just not on Tatooine. And on one of the last surgeries they removed my stomach muscles due to MRSA. I can’t even suck it in, so I’ve learned ways to hide it.
Short Legs
I have REALLY short legs. I have a long body, but short legs. My inseam is even way shorter than most petites. My husband and I are 14″ apart in height and it’s all in the legs as we’re just about the same length from shoulder to hip.
Big Feet
Don’t ask how I’m barely 5′ tall and wear a size 9 to 9.5 shoe. My Grandmom wore a 5. 5 and my mom a 6. My sister and I both wear around a size 9 and we’re both short. Go figure. To quote my mother, at least I won’t tip over in a wind storm.
So There You Have It
The things I don’t like and wish I could change. I can’t change most of them, but guess what? It’s all right. Once I catalogued them, I knew I could deal with them and others’ criticisms of them. When people said things before, I went home and cried. If you say something now, you’re liable to get a smile or a big eff you, depending on my mood. Just Don’t. And that goes for anyone. Appearance is simply packaging. More on that to come later.
YOUR TURN!!!!
You don’t have to do it in a blog or even out loud. But if you know what you perceive as your faults, no one can use them against you ever again. 💚💚💚💚
This Is Me (sung by the magnificent Keala Settle!)