27 May 2015

why don't we believe we are beautiful?

how to be more confident

This past weekend, I went home to Indiana for Memorial Day, which was the perfect way to spend the holiday. I returned to Atlanta feeling rested and refreshed - filled to the brim with love & contentment. There is something to be said for spending time with people you love outside the bustle of the city.

While I was there, I did a photography session with the very talented Sami Renee. As I continue to grow my coaching business, it feels important to have more professional pictures - instead of just cropping out my friends and a glass of wine from group photos.
how to have better body image

I've been so excited this week to receive the photos from her, but, last night, as the email popped in my inbox that they were ready, my breath caught. I thought: what if I hate them? What if I don't look pretty in any of them? What if I wasted time and money and don't look good in any of the pictures and can't use them?

As I looked through the pictures, I found myself being critical first: my smile looks fake, my arms don't look good there, my face looks round.


be more comfortable in your skin

My first thought was to pick myself apart, as opposed to see the beauty in them.

As I sorted through the pictures, I started wondering: what if these were of my sisters or mom? I wouldn't be critiquing them, but instead finding joy in the way her mouth opens as she laughs and proud that she is standing tall and confidently.

how to believe you are beautiful


Why don't we choose to see ourselves through the eyes of love first? Why do we choose first to pick ourselves apart?

As we head into the beautiful, wonderful season that is summer, I'm making a promise to see myself with eyes of love first. Not to pick myself apart in a swimsuit or shorts. Not to hold on to a towel like a security blanket or fear beach weekends and pools. Not to examine myself with a critical eye, but instead one of love and confidence.
be confident this swim season

I'm making an effort to see my body as beautiful and able - not to give into the world's constant message that we should take up less space. I'm living wholly and fully in the body that the Lord gave me, for it is capable and strong. 

15 comments:

  1. Great post and so true! You are right that when we look at those we love we start from a place of positivity but with ourselves negativity seems to reign supreme. We do need to be more cognizant of this!

    Alyssa J Freitas

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  2. So true - we all seem to struggle with this. You look confident and comfortable, even if you didn't necessarily feel that way while shooting. Your beauty radiates from the inside out!

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  3. I'm shocked to see you in pants/jeans!! The pics are great!! :)

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  4. Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!!

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  5. Your pictures are beautiful, everything you have to say is beautiful, and you have such a bright future ahead of you!! I love this post, and I love your blog! Xo, Sara

    www.saltyairandcityhair.com

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  6. Amazing post and you truly look gorgeous in your new pictures! I love the approach that you are taking too- the other day I was getting so caught up in how my legs looked in shorts and how they weren't as toned as I wanted them, that I was forgetting about the fact that I am healthy and able to be out and about wearing shorts-- and that's something that I don't want to ever take for granite!!

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    1. we are so much harder on ourselves, aren't we? able bodies - we have so much to be grateful for! :)

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  7. Beautifully written Whitney! Kristina shared this with a few of our college friends, and it definitely resonated with me and my life. You look beautiful in the pictures btw. Hopefully we will see you soon.

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  8. beautiful post from a beautiful lady <3
    xo

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i'd loooove to hear from you! you make my day! <3